Union calls for inflation-plus pay increase for all teachers

The joint general secretaries of the National Education Union have written to the education secretary Nadhim Zahawi urging him to act to protect teacher living standards, as inflation hits 11.7% (RPI).

The union argues that teacher pay has fallen by a fifth in real terms since 2010, even before this year's  increases in inflation. It argues that teacher workload remains at unsustainable levels, and that pay cuts and excessive workload combine to intensify the already serious recruitment and retention problems. 

On these grounds, the NEU has written to the education secretary setting out the need for the Government to commit to an inflation-plus pay increase for all teachers.

The letter says: "You must respond to the new economic reality of double-digit inflation and the threat this poses to teacher living standards.  We call on you to commit to an inflation-plus increase for all teachers.  It is not good enough to only propose higher increases for beginner teachers (which are themselves likely to be lower than inflation).

"A clear and unambiguous signal that educators are valued, with undifferentiated inflation-plus pay increases for all teachers, is urgently needed. And you must fund schools accordingly."

Read the full text of the letter here.