Maths, physics, chemistry and computing teachers in the early years of their careers will be able to get a salary boost of up to £3,000 tax-free if they take jobs in disadvantaged areas.

The package will be available to eligible teachers in the first five years of their careers, and is backed by a commitment of £60m in funding.

The government says evidence indicates premiums that deliver a 10% increase in pay could reduce leavers from among early career teachers in shortage subjects by 30%.

However, the new policy was criticised by Labour. Kate Green, Labour’s shadow education secretary, said: “The Conservatives have no idea how to improve education and outcomes for young people. The premium announced today is a less generous recycling of an old policy that Boris Johnson’s government scrapped just a year ago.

“Under the Conservatives teacher vacancies have more than doubled, school funding will be lower in real terms next year than it was in 2010 and the promised £30,000 teacher starting salary has still not been delivered.

“Labour has set out a clear plan to deliver an excellent education to all with over 6,500 new teachers and ongoing professional training to ensure every child is taught by a highly skilled expert teacher. Combined with professional careers advice and reintroducing compulsory work experience, and embedding digital skills across the curriculum, Labour would ensure every young person leaves school with the skills they need for life.”