Lack of skilled teachers 'threatens next generation of scientists'

An Early Day Motion tabled by Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin expresses the concern that the next generation of specialist scientists could be put under threat due to a lack of present-day skilled science teachers.

The MP - who served as principal of the town's John Leggott College from 2007 - has tabled a motion calling for incentives to be offered to graduates of physics, in order to attract them into teaching.

His motion calls for MPs to agree that the House of Commons "recognises the threat" posed to physics and engineering in the future due to a lack of adequate teaching today.

This is further evidenced in the drop of physics applicants at A-level, reducing the number of people studying the necessary subjects to become the scientists of the future.

In an email to members, the Institute of Physics adds that it called for the right to good-quality science teaching ahead of the general election and now urges concerned participants in the scientific community to contact their MP in support of Mr Dakin's motion.