Written Statement by MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Education
In June, I published the sixth report of the Independent Welsh
Pay Review Body (IWPRB) which made a recommendation in relation
to teachers' pay from September 2025. After careful consideration
of the financial implications, I then consulted with key
stakeholders on a 4% pay award. I am today setting out my
decision in relation to teachers' pay for the academic year
2025/26, as I committed to doing by the end of the 2024/25
academic year.
I have considered the representations received from social
partners through the consultation and confirm a 4% pay award will
be implemented from September 2025. I commit to providing the
additional funding to support schools to manage this increase,
recognising the pressures they are under. Whilst I appreciate the
frustration that this year's pay award is below the IWPRB's
recommendation, I reiterate the importance of providing full and
sustainable funding for teachers' pay. The additional funding I
have committed to providing will support local authorities and
schools with the budgetary impacts of the difference between the
planned pay uplift and the actual pay award.
Meeting the cost of teachers' pay is part of the core funding
provided by local authorities as supported by the Local
Government Settlement and Local Authorities will have been
expected to plan their budgets to include the 2025/26 pay uplift
within their settlement allocations. However, as the timing did
not allow for inclusion of specific and unforeseen amounts within
the Settlement, I am continuing the Welsh Government practice of
providing additional grant funding in-year.
We will now begin the legislative process to give effect to this
announcement with the aim of laying a School Teachers' Pay and
Conditions (Wales) Order as soon as possible after summer recess.
We intend that this pay award will be effective from 1 September
2025 and implemented in time for October 2025 pay packets. The
specific timing of the implementation of the award will be a
matter for employers once the pay Order is made. I will be
impressing upon local authorities my firm expectation that this
award is made as soon as possible.
The consultation responses showed broad support for the proposed
removal of the application process for moving from the main pay
scale to the upper pay scale from September 2025. As set out in
my written statement of 10 June, I have committed to work with
partners to consider options for the development and structure of
a single consolidated pay scale and appreciate the willingness
from partners to work with us on this matter.
I also recognise the important role ALNCos play in our education
system, which is why I also consulted on moving them onto the
leadership pay scale, as recommended by the IWPRB. I have
received a number of helpful responses and my officials are
working at pace with relevant social partners through the
Teachers' Pay and Conditions Partnership Forum on this matter.
Additionally, I am pleased to confirm that the IWPRB are
currently progressing the second the part of the remit for this
year relating to leaders' conditions of service and I look
forward to receiving their report on that part of the remit later
in the Autumn. I welcome the engagement of trade unions on these
matters and I will provide an update in due course.
We remain committed to ensuring parity of pay between FE and
schoolteachers. Therefore, I am pleased to confirm that pay
parity will be maintained again this year, with the same offer of
a 4% pay rise. We have budgeted for sufficient funding to be
remitted to Medr to allocate to school sixth forms and colleges
to meet this offer subject to the outcome of well-established
joint pay negotiations between the FE sector and their recognised
trade unions.
I would like to thank everyone who has participated and continues
to participate in this process. Our partnership working approach
is invaluable in shaping our policy here in Wales and I am
committed to ensuring that we continue to work together to reward
and recognise the excellent work of our teachers.
