Welsh Minister for Education has published the following
statement:
Following extensive negotiations with unions and the WLGA, the
Welsh Government yesterday presented a new enhanced pay offer for
teachers and headteachers.
In addition to the 5% pay rise, the new revised pay offer would
comprise of an additional 3%, of which 1.5% is consolidated and
1.5% is non-consolidated.
The non-consolidated part of the offer would include pay,
allowances and employer National Insurance contributions.
It would be for the full 2022-23 academic year.
The consolidated part of the offer includes pay, allowances,
employer National Insurance and employer pension contributions.
It would be backdated to September 2022.
Both parts of the offer would apply to all statutory salary
points.
If the new offer is ultimately accepted, it has been agreed that
the Welsh Government would fully fund the cost of the 3% offer in
2022-23. The Welsh Government and WLGA will continue discussions
around how the cost of the consolidated 1.5% increase in future
years can be funded without impacting on school budgets.
It is important to be clear that the new pay offer is the maximum
we can afford and we have been open and transparent about our
financial constraints with our social partners. The reality is,
that if this year’s offer is rejected we will be unable to make
any higher pay offer.
As Minister, I have been clear that we can only support pupil
wellbeing and deliver high quality teaching if our workforce also
feel supported. Workforce wellbeing must therefore be at the
forefront of all we do. Over recent weeks, working with unions we
have made excellent progress in this shared priority area. These
discussions will continue and will form part of the package that
members will be consulted on. Further details on this package
will be published in due course.
It is welcome that as a result of recent discussions, both the
NEU and NAHT have agreed to present the new pay offer to their
members. The decision by the NEU not to proceed next week with
strike action is good news for pupils, parents and staff.
I would like to thank everyone who has participated in these
constructive negotiations. We now await a formal response from
the trade unions.
