The NEU has secured through negotiations with the Secretary of State for Education a fully funded pay increase for all teachers throughout England. This is a significant step. In a letter to the General Secretary of the NEU Lucy Powell outlined her proposals for funding alongside a willingness to address issues around accountability, workload, and well-being.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Finally, we have a government that accepts the reality that any teacher pay award must be fully funded. Plugging the £460 million black hole in school budgets signals a welcome return to reality, and a message of hope for the entire school community.
"Be in no doubt that the significant ground conceded by government is a consequence of NEU members' willingness to take a stand. It not only includes those who voted in our indicative ballot, but everyone who has campaigned against School Cuts and fought the effects of austerity in our classrooms.
"Schools have been running on empty for far too long. Leaders simply could not afford to fund the pay award as set out by the previous education secretary. The new administration has accepted that it is wrong to force schools to make cuts to education just to make ends meet.
"There is still much to do. Seventy-four per cent of schools have less money in real terms than they did in 2010, badly impacting upon the educational experience children receive. Likewise, experienced teachers have seen their pay cut by 23 per cent in real terms since 2010, contributing to the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis. Government must now enter into discussions on a long-term solution to school funding and pay.
"We hope to work with this government to ensure that education is truly valued in this country. We hope today marks an important turning point, and one we as a union will aim to build from. We must make austerity in the classroom a thing of the past.
“In light of this news the NEU Executive will discuss our response on the 24 September”.