The Secretary of State appears to have admitted she is no longer
in charge of the school teachers’ pay review process, in a move
whichNASUWT – The Teachers’ Union believes is
deliberately designed to pave the way for further real terms pay
cuts for the profession.
Last week the Union opened a dispute with the Secretary of State
over delays in issuing a remit to the School Teachers’ Pay Review
Body (STRB), the body which makes recommendations to the minister
on teachers’ pay.
Gillian Keegan’s response to the Union states that the timing of
the pay remit is a matter being dealt with across Government,
leading to the assumption that she is no longer in charge of
these extremely important matters at the DfE.
Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT General
Secretary, said:
“Teachers are being treated with utter contempt in an attempt to
delay what is looking increasingly likely to be more bad news on
pay for hardworking and dedicated teachers.
“If the Government continues to play fast and loose with the STRB
remit, then the pay review body machinery will be defunct, along
with any system of check and balance or independent voice in the
setting of teachers’ pay.
“It feels as though the Secretary of State is resorting to weak
excuses in order to continue to delay the commencement of the pay
award process for 2024/25. We believe this is connected to the
timing of the forthcoming General Election and plans to impose
further real-terms cuts on teachers.
“The profession has suffered the impact of cuts for far too long
to be fooled or distracted by ministerial game playing. They will
see this for what it really is - yet further confirmation that
this Government is trying to get away with paying teachers as
little as possible, while ramping up their workloads and working
hours.
“Unless this situation is addressed, future industrial action
cannot be ruled out.”
