Leaders of teacher-training courses have been warned not to make firm offers to students before October’s comprehensive spending review amid predictions that the sector is facing cuts.

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has told training colleges to hold off making offers, even though they traditionally start assessing applications in September. Bursaries for trainees and “golden hello” payments to those teaching shortage subjects are also under review. Roger Woods, chair of the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers, said: “The TDA will obviously make a decision based on what’s available to them, but if it cuts bursaries and golden hellos there is a danger that it will have an impact on recruitment. The fact that there might be cuts is a big worry and there is a lot of uncertainty.”