Teachers in England are preparing for nationwide strikes after a pay deal, which requires schools to absorb part of the costs, raised concerns about potential job losses. The National Education Union (NEU), representing around 500,000 members, has rejected the proposed agreement, warning that funding shortfalls could result in cuts equivalent to 8,300 school staff positions.
The government’s latest proposal includes a pay increase for teachers of 3.5% starting in September, followed by an additional 3% rise the following year. Although this offer is more generous than an earlier plan proposing a 6.5% increase phased over three years, it is not fully funded by the government. Schools are expected to cover 1% of the pay rise each year from their existing budgets, a move that the NEU says will force staff reductions.
Daniel Kebede, the NEU general secretary, stated that despite pressure from the union prompting the government to improve its initial offer, the partial funding arrangement “still means cuts to education.” He estimated that schools will need to find approximately £460 million in the first year alone, equating to the loss of 3,900 teaching roles and 4,400 support staff positions.
The pay rise was recommended by the independent School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). Nonetheless, the unresolved funding gap has led the NEU to proceed with plans for a formal strike ballot this October, with industrial action likely to commence after the Christmas holidays.
The planned strikes may be coordinated with the NASUWT, a fellow teaching union with around 300,000 members, which is also preparing a pay-related strike ballot. NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack criticized the government for expecting teachers to bear the financial burden of their pay rises through cuts to education services.
Leaders of headteachers’ unions NAHT and ASCL acknowledged the difficulty schools face in generating additional funds from their existing budgets. Despite some recent increases in teacher pay in real terms, research indicates that pay levels still lag behind those of 2010 and 2020 when inflation is considered.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott criticized the government and blamed Labour’s Bridget Phillipson for the unresolved funding issues, asserting that schools are being forced to find nearly half a billion pounds to fund unfunded pay awards, potentially resulting in further job losses.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson defended the deal, emphasizing that it reflects a substantial investment in teachers while also providing schools and colleges with increased certainty regarding pay and budgets.