Hinds urged to give response on teacher pay recommendations

Six teaching unions have called on the government to decide whether it will back a call for a real pay rise for teachers in England.

A letter to Damian Hinds has been signed by the leaders of ASCL, NAHT, NEU, Voice and UCAC, urging him to respond to the School Teachers’ Review Body report on teachers’ pay for September 2018 and to publish both the report and his response as soon as possible.

In May, the official teacher pay review body reported to Hinds but he is yet to publish that report or his response.

Meanwhile, the pay cap of one per cent has been lifted for other public sector workers.

The letter states: “The end of term is imminent. Schools in some areas have already closed for the summer. Head teachers and their teaching staff do not know what is happening with regard to pay. Governing bodies cannot discuss how they will implement the pay increase. No one knows whether your Government plans to support the pay increase with additional funding.

“This situation of uncertainty is wholly unnecessary. You have had the STRB’s report since early May. A prompt announcement would have allowed head teachers and governing bodies to discuss the situation, consult with staff and decide a position before the end of term. That will not now be possible. The new school year will start in a climate of uncertainty about pay and funding which could have been avoided.”

The letter goes on to say that the unions had asked to a five per cent pay increase for all teachers and additional funding to ensure its implementation is fully funded.

It said: “We hope that this will form the basis of your announcement and that additional funding will cover the costs of pay increases both for teachers and for support staff.”