This "consultation" notifies interested parties of the plans by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to introduce recruitment incentives for teaching staff in higher education, also known as "golden hellos." These are being introduced from 2003-2004 to encourage new entrants to teaching in higher education in subject areas where there is a shortage of staff. Indicative allocations of funds are provided, and comments are invited on how the scheme will operate. It is expected that each golden hello will be worth 9,000 pounds, paid over 3 years to encourage retention, with the largest supplement, 4,000 pounds, the first year. The incentive is aimed at the six areas of greatest shortfall; currently that would be: (1) education; (2) computing, information technology, and information systems; (3) business; (4) mathematics; (5) engineering; and (6) clinical medicine and clinical dentistry. Three attachments provide additional information. (SLD)