Teacher training applications have risen by 7,000 compared with the same point last year.

Statistics released today by admissions body Ucas show that overall there were 102,040 applications for teacher training courses by 15 June 2020, compared with 94,810 by 17 June 2019 - an increase of 8 per cent.

Secondary applications across England and Wales have risen by 12 per cent over the same period, from 54,300 in 2019 to 60,730 this year.

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And primary applications have increased by 3 per cent - from 40,010 in 2019 to 41,280.

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But applications in England have not risen across the board in the priority subjects.

Physics applications have decreased very slightly, from 1,660 to 1,640.

However, maths applications have risen from 6,710 to 7,650, and chemistry applications have increased from 2,270 to 2,540.

And in biology, applications are up from 5,410 in 2019 to 5,910 this year.

Applicants can make multiple applications, meaning that the number of actual people applying to start teacher training is lower than the total number of applications.

In line with the rise in applications, the data shows the overall number of applicants has increased by 8 per cent - from 36,470 by 17 June 2019 to 39,310 by 15 June 2020.

Schools minister Nick Gibb said earlier this week that there had been a 12 per cent increase in teacher training applications in the last quarter to the end of May.

He added that “talented” people from industry were among those expressing interest in plugging the shortage of maths and physics teachers.

Mr Gibb was speaking during education questions in the Commons on Monday afternoon, after he was asked by Sir Christopher Chope, Conservative MP for Christchurch, if the government would second people from industry to fill teaching vacancies.