The Sutton Trust have recently commissioned the NfER to conduct research* on the impact of the cost of living crisis on School spending. The research survey of 1,428 teachers drew a dismal picture of school cuts on what the Sutton Trust describes as 'essential staff and activities'. 63% of senior staff confirmed that the number of teaching assistants was being reduced. 41% were using the School Premium budget to plug gaps in the budget. Significantly 71% of the senior staff stated that they had difficulties in recruiting teachers.