The government will announce today tougher tests in English and maths for prospective teachers before they can start training.

The equivalent of a 'B' grade in maths and English will have to be reached.

Sarah Ebner, who runs the education blog School Gate, told Today presenter John Humphrys that "maybe it is time to raise aspirations for teachers."

She cautioned that "parents are always going to complain about teachers but lots of teachers don't like parents either."

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, agreed saying teachers should have a "proper level" of written and spoke English and said "we shouldn't have spelling mistakes or teachers teaching maths if they are going to get it wrong".

But she said that the introduction of tests might not be the best way on implementing the plan.

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