Teachers and support staff across England may soon cast their votes on whether to strike, as the National Education Union (NEU) responds to the government’s proposed pay increase for the upcoming academic year. The NEU, the largest teaching union in England, has announced that if urgent measures are not taken by the government, a formal ballot will be conducted in the autumn.
Government’s Pay Proposal Under Scrutiny
The government has recommended a pay rise of 6.5% to be implemented over three years, a figure that the NEU has dismissed as inadequate in light of rising inflation. Describing the proposal as an “insult,” NEU leaders argue that it fails to keep pace with the current economic climate, which has been exacerbated by external factors such as the ongoing war in Iran. Inflation, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index, was recorded at 3.3% for the year leading up to March. However, the Bank of England has signalled that inflation may continue to rise due to a “significant energy price shock.”
The NEU insists that teachers deserve a pay increase that exceeds inflation, alongside a commitment from the government to fully fund these rises. This would alleviate the financial burden on schools, which currently struggle with tight budgets. Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the NEU, articulated the urgency of the situation, stating that “no member wants to be taking strike action,” but the issues surrounding pay and workload have led to a “recruitment and retention crisis” impacting the quality of education.
The Department for Education’s Response
The Department for Education has reacted critically to the NEU’s announcement, expressing disappointment and warning that students and parents will ultimately bear the consequences if strike action occurs. A spokesperson for the department emphasised that the government is committed to enhancing the teaching profession, citing efforts to improve pay, address behavioural issues among pupils, and reduce workloads to ensure that teachers remain in the profession.
Each year, the independent School Teachers Review Body (STRB) gathers submissions on pay from various stakeholders, including the government and unions, before making recommendations to ministers. The government’s submission proposed the incremental 6.5% pay award, with a greater emphasis on pay increases in the latter years to allow schools adequate time for operational adjustments.
NEU’s Call for Action
Despite the absence of the STRB’s final report, early indications suggest that the proposed pay rise will not be sufficient to avert redundancies or ease the workload for teachers. Previous informal votes conducted by the NEU indicated strong support for industrial action, with nearly 90.5% of participating members expressing willingness to strike over pay concerns.
In the first half of 2023, NEU members engaged in multiple days of strike action, resulting in widespread school closures. While further strikes were postponed after the government increased its 2023 pay offer to 6.5%, educators received a 5.5% raise in 2024 and a 4% increase in 2025, which many still view as inadequate.
Why it Matters
The potential for strike action by teachers highlights a critical juncture in England’s educational landscape, where ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions threaten not only the livelihoods of educators but also the quality of education for students. As inflation continues to rise and economic pressures mount, the government’s response to these challenges will be pivotal in shaping the future of teaching in England. The outcome of the NEU’s ballot could set the tone for negotiations between the union and the government, impacting thousands of schools and the educational experiences of millions of children.
