Teachers in England receive 6.6% pay rise over two years

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 2, 2026

Teachers in England will receive a 6.6% pay increase over two years, starting with a 3.5% rise this September, supported by an additional £1.8 billion in funding for state schools to cover wage costs. However, education unions warn that nearly a third of the pay hike will need to be funded from existing budgets, risking further strain on school resources and raising the possibility of industrial action.

Teachers in England will receive a 6.6% pay increase spread over two years, with a 3.5% raise starting in September and an additional 3% increase scheduled for the following year. The Department for Education (DfE) announced that state schools will receive an additional £1.8 billion over this period to help cover the increased wage bill for teachers and support staff, who have also been offered a 3.3% pay rise backdated to April.

The government accepted the pay recommendations made by the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB), an independent committee, which proposed a higher raise than initially suggested by the government. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the multi-year deal, backed by increased funding, reflects the government’s commitment to valuing teachers and provides schools and colleges with greater certainty regarding pay and budget planning.

Phillipson had initially requested the STRB to recommend a 6.5% pay award spread over three years, but the body instead advised a slightly higher award of 6.6% over a two-year period. The DfE highlighted that, since the last general election, teachers’ pay would have risen cumulatively by 17%, with the average teacher salary expected to increase to over £52,800 in September and surpass £54,400 by September 2027.

Despite welcoming the pay rise, education unions expressed concerns about the funding arrangement. The National Education Union (NEU) warned that nearly a third of the pay increase would need to be financed from existing school budgets, placing additional strain on already stretched resources. Daniel Kebede, the NEU general secretary, estimated that schools would have to find approximately £460 million internally, equivalent to funding the salaries of around 8,300 staff members, including 3,900 teachers and 4,400 support staff. Kebede emphasized the challenges this poses, stating that ministers cannot claim to support an increase in teacher numbers while effectively overseeing significant reductions.

The NEU has also indicated potential industrial action if the government does not commit to a fully funded, above-inflation pay award. The union voted in May to hold a strike ballot in the autumn unless pay demands are met in full.

Overall, the pay rise comes as part of the government’s broader effort to address teacher recruitment and retention challenges, while balancing budgetary constraints within the education sector.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.