Commenting on the Chancellor’s speech, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Austerity is ended in deeds not words. The Spring Statement will cause deep anger among education staff because it does not address the key issue preventing schools and colleges from supporting children and young people - a lack of funding.
“Children get only one chance to go to school and college, and education staff expect government to deliver enough funding for safe school buildings, experienced teachers, appropriate class sizes and pastoral and SEND services.
“Cuts to funding and huge real terms pay cuts of a fifth since 2010 have made teaching less attractive and the serious recruitment and retention issues are now plain for all to see. Children are losing out. Labour has pledged to increase opportunities for working class children, but this simply won’t happen without investment in our schools and funding for the pay increases needed to value, recruit and retain the educators we need.
“The NEU backs calls for a wealth tax and rejects the concept that cutting welfare will boost employment or grow our economy. The two-child limit and any further cuts to welfare will directly and immediately worsen the life chances for thousands of children. Talk of ‘efficiency’ savings in education is incendiary when teachers are spending their own salaries on what’s needed in the classroom.”
Editor’s Note
• The NEU is conducting a preliminary ballot of members about the proposed pay award of 2.8% for 2025/26 and the lack of funding for the award. The ballot closes on 11 April.
• The IFS have calculated that increases in school costs will outstrip the government’s recent funding boost, warning that leaders again face making more cuts to provision.