Teachers are preparing for nationwide strikes following the government's announcement of a pay rise that will necessitate cuts to school budgets. The National Education Union (NEU) has stated it will not accept the deal, which proposes a 3.5 percent increase for teachers starting in September and an additional 3 percent the following year.
While the proposed raise is more substantial than initially offered, the NEU argues it is not fully funded. Schools are expected to cover 1 percent of the pay increase each year from their existing budgets, a requirement that could lead to redundancies. The NEU, representing 500,000 members, plans to proceed with a formal strike ballot in October, building on a successful indicative ballot held in the spring. Union officials anticipate strong support for what could become the largest nationwide teacher strikes in recent history.
The government's decision aligns with the recommendations of the independent School Teachers' Review Body (STRB). Daniel Kebede, NEU General Secretary, acknowledged that pressure from the union influenced the government to improve its initial pay and funding offer. However, he emphasized that a partially funded settlement still amounts to cuts in education funding.
According to Kebede, schools are being asked to find £460 million from budgets already under strain, a sum equivalent to 7,800 school staff positions, including 3,700 teachers and 4,100 support staff. He pointed out the contradiction in aiming to increase teacher numbers while simultaneously overseeing a potential reduction in staff. As an example, Kebede cited Makerfield, a constituency represented by Andy Burnham, where 40 schools would collectively need to find £866,842 to partially fund the pay award from their own budgets.
In October, the Department for Education (DfE) had suggested to the STRB a pay increase of 6.5 percent spread across the academic years 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29. Teacher unions had previously expressed disappointment with such proposals, warning they could exacerbate existing teacher shortages.
The recent announcement also includes a cap on the pay for academy trust executives at £174,000 per year, effective from September. Trusts will require government approval to advertise positions exceeding this salary threshold.
Education Secretary Bridget Philipson stated that the multi-year deal, supported by significant additional investment, reflects the value placed on teachers and provides certainty for schools and colleges regarding pay and budgets. She added that tighter controls on executive pay, ensuring it does not rise faster than classroom teachers' pay or reach excessive levels, will help redirect funds towards classrooms and level the playing field for school staff.
The DfE also committed an additional £1.8 billion in funding for schools over two years to support pay increases for teachers and support staff. Colleges and further education providers will receive an extra £485 million over the same period.