Zoya's Story

Zoya, 29, from Hackney North and Stoke Newington wanted to become a teacher in London's schools. She had the qualifications and the passion, but hit a wall when the Department for Education reduced teacher training bursaries for subjects with critical shortages in London. Treasury spending rules force departments to compete for fixed pots, as though the government that creates the currency must first find it somewhere. The classrooms were there, the graduates ready to teach were there, but Westminster chose not to connect them. This episode explores how central government funding decisions block willing workers from filling essential roles in education. Blocked Britain is produced independently. Views expressed are those of contributors and do not represent any political party or organisation.