Teachers’ Pay

As the brother and son-in-law of two teachers and having been a local School Governor for 20 years, my admiration and respect for teachers could not be higher. I am also proud to employ a retired Headteacher in my local constituency office.

Teachers have a huge impact on children’s futures and so I want all our children to be taught by the brightest and the best. I am aware that during the pandemic teachers and educational staff  faced many challenges and played an incredible role in ensuring that children have continued to receive a fantastic education.

As you may be aware, there was a pause to headline pay rises for the majority of public sector workforces in 2021-22 to ensure fairness between public and private sector wage growth. However, I welcomed the announcement in the Budget and Spending Review 2021 that the Government is looking to increase teachers' pay following this period of more targeted pay. 

I know that the Government has now announced a 5 per cent pay rise for most teachers next year. Further, starting salaries will rise by 8.9 per cent, which fulfils the Government's pledge to raise the teaching starting salary to £30,000. I am glad that the Government is delivering on significant pay increases for all teachers despite the present economic challenges, and provides experienced teachers with the biggest pay rise in a generation.

I understand that the Government has decided it is appropriate to confirm teachers’ salaries for the next academic year only, rather than the two years initially proposed, and return to the usual timeframe for the pay setting process for 2023/24.  Academies, as usual, have the freedom to set their own pay policies.

The Department for Education is aware of the challenges that teachers have faced over the past two years. As such, I welcome that the Department is taking action to support teachers to stay in the profession and thrive. This includes the increase in pay, as well as the launch of the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter. The charter is a set of commitments from the Department, Ofsted, schools and colleges to promote the wellbeing of staff. This includes pledges to work with the sector to drive down unnecessary workload, improve access to wellbeing resources, and champion flexible working, among a number of other actions. 

I understand that the Department is also offering state-funded schools and colleges to grant pay for senior mental health lead training, providing skills and knowledge to implement a 'whole school or college approach' to mental health and wellbeing in a setting. Further, the Department is supporting staff wellbeing and is funding peer support, individual supervision and counselling from experts to school leaders through the charity 'Education Support'. I am glad that around 2,000 school leaders will benefit until March 2023.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank teachers again for their remarkable commitment throughout the difficult times over the past two years.