MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Education: Today I am publishing the Independent Welsh Pay
Review Body's (IWPRB) strategic review of the
structure of teachers' and leaders' pay and conditions in
Wales.
In December 2021 we commissioned the IWPRB to undertake a
strategic review of the current structure of teachers' and
leaders' pay and conditions in Wales and propose opportunities
for improvements to enhance our current system and help us
achieve a fairer and more transparent system for all
teachers.
I am pleased to note that the Strategic Review clearly recognises
the strengths of the current pay and conditions arrangements and
the need to retain the positive changes introduced to the
structure since 2018 when the responsibility for teachers' pay
and conditions was devolved to the Welsh Government. The
comprehensive and detailed report from the IWPRB contains 26
recommendations relating mainly to pay, terms and conditions
designed to strengthen these existing arrangements.
I accept in principle all the recommendations subject to
consultation with key stakeholders through our well established
and effective social partnership arrangements. These wide-ranging
recommendations require detailed consideration. Key stakeholders
will be invited to scrutinise the Report and provide comments on
its recommendations, including implications, practicalities and
timing of potential implementation, such as current pressures on
all public sector budgets.
Many of the recommendations have financial implications,
therefore an important aspect of considering their impact and
delivery will be affordability in the difficult financial
situation faced by Welsh Government, local authorities and
schools. Given these financial pressures, the implementation of
any of the recommendations in the short to medium term will only
occur where they can be shown to be either cost neutral or are
able to be met from existing budgets.
I would like to thank the chair of the IWPRB and its members for
their work over the past two years which has resulted in this
comprehensive report, and to everyone who contributed evidence
and views. I look forward to collaborating with the sector to
enhance the current structure for teachers' pay and conditions,
building on its strengths to create a system in Wales that
ensures that teachers and leaders feel valued and is both fit for
purpose and fair across the whole profession.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep
members informed. Should members wish me to make a further
statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns
I would be happy to do so.
