In an announcement today, the Prime Minister announced a pay rise of at least 6% for public sector workers, including police, NHS staff, armed personnel and teachers. The Government has agreed to accept in full the recommendations of the independent review bodies. Teachers working in state schools in England will receive a 6.5% pay rise for the 2023-24 academic year, as recommended by the School Teachers’ Review Body.
In an announcement today, the Prime Minister announced a pay rise of at least 6% for public sector workers, including police, NHS staff, armed personnel and teachers.
The Government has agreed to accept in full the recommendations of the independent review bodies. Teachers working in state schools in England will receive a 6.5% pay rise for the 2023-24 academic year, as recommended by the School Teachers’ Review Body.
Sunak has said that these pay rises will be fully funded out of existing department budgets. The education department’s budget will be amended, with a Treasury spokesman insisting that frontline services would be protected. Education trade unions have agreed to suspend strike action.
In a joint statement, the trade unions said:
“This is the largest ever recommendation from the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). A 6.5% increase for teachers and school leaders recognises the vital role that teachers play in our country and ensures that teaching will continue to be an attractive profession. The Government has accepted the STRB’s recommendation and has agreed to bring forward wider reforms to reduce teacher and leader workload in partnership with all four unions.
Importantly, the Government’s offer is properly funded for schools. The Government has committed that all schools will receive additional funding above what was proposed in March - building on the additional £2 billion given to schools in the Autumn Statement. The Government will also provide a hardship fund of up to £40 million to support those schools facing the greatest financial challenges.”
Michele Gregson, NSEAD General Secretary said:
“This pay offer, and the assurance that it is to be fully funded is welcome news for our members, and we hope it will end the deadlock between teachers and the Department for Education.A 6.5% award is the minimum that teachers deserve, and is the first step towards reversing a decade of real terms pay cuts that have undermined morale and led to the crisis in recruitment and retention that we now see in our schools..However, that this pay award is being funded by cuts and migrant healthcare levys is no cause for celebration.
NSEAD have always insisted that any pay award that is not genuinely fully funded would be a threat to our members, teaching a subject that is underfunded and undervalued by this Government. We will hold the Government to their pledge that frontline services – and our members’ jobs - will be protected."