School staff slam pay offer as ‘insulting’ and threaten strikes across England
NAHT joins NEU and ASCL in rejecting government pay deal
The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has turned down the government’s latest pay offer, following the refusal from the National Education Union (NEU) and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL). The package offered a 4.3% pay rise next year, a one-off £1,000 payment this year, and starting salaries rising to £30,000 from September.
Despite most state school teachers receiving a 5% rise in 2022, unions say the government’s plan is fatally flawed. They warn that the pay increase is unfairly funded by cuts to school budgets, forcing cuts in other vital areas.
Strike action looms as NAHT mulls first-ever walkout in England
Now, the NAHT is considering a fresh ballot for strike action – a potential first strike by the union in England. The NEU has already locked in five possible strike dates next term, with three still unconfirmed, signalling escalating tensions.
Leaders slam government cash as ‘not properly funded’
“Members feel insulted by the offer which is not properly funded,” NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman told the BBC. “It isn’t affordable in most school budgets.”
Joanne Hall, head teacher at Birmingham’s Merritts Brook Primary School, echoed the sentiment. She warned the pay rise would come at the expense of other school resources, calling it a “scary prospect” for many heads.
Broader battle over workload and teacher retention
While the dispute centres on pay, unions are also campaigning over workload pressures and teacher recruitment and retention. The Institute for Fiscal Studies revealed teacher pay has dropped 11% in real terms since 2010.
The government insists the offer is “funded” and includes a £500 million investment to tackle workload issues, but unions remain unconvinced.
