The Department for Education (DfE) has proposed a 2.8% pay increase for teachers for the 2025-26 financial year, as outlined in its evidence submission to the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB). This recommendation has sparked significant debate within the education sector, particularly concerning its sufficiency in addressing ongoing challenges in recruitment, retention, and school funding.
The DfE contends that the proposed pay award would ensure teachers’ salaries remain competitive in the current economic climate. Inflation forecasts of 2.6% for the same period suggest the increase would represent a modest real-terms rise. However, the DfE acknowledges that most schools will need to find efficiencies within their existing budgets to fund this pay rise, as additional funding will not be provided beyond the government’s current allocations.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has voiced strong opposition to the recommendation. General Secretary Pepe Di’lasio described the proposal as “extremely disappointing” and argued that it would exacerbate existing financial pressures on schools. He emphasised that years of pay erosion have already diminished the profession’s attractiveness, contributing to severe teacher shortages nationwide.
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, expressed similar concerns. He highlighted the strain this unfunded proposal would place on school budgets, potentially forcing headteachers to make difficult operational decisions.
The National Education Union (NEU) echoed these sentiments, with General Secretary Daniel Kebede warning that the proposal falls short of addressing the “depth of the crisis” in education. He noted the importance of continued efforts to secure fair pay increases, referencing the industrial action that led to higher awards in previous years.
This recommendation comes on the back of a fully funded 5.5% pay increase for 2024-25, which the DfE claims has supported recruitment and retention. However, recent data paints a concerning picture: secondary teacher recruitment targets have been missed by nearly 40%, and primary teacher training entrants have declined.
The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) has suggested that significantly larger pay rises - nearly 10% annually for three years—would be needed to meet Labour’s target of recruiting 6,500 additional teachers if pay were the sole lever.
At the Autumn Budget, the government announced a £2.3 billion increase in core school funding for 2024-25, including £1 billion earmarked for high needs. Despite this, experts warn that ongoing cost pressures, estimated to exceed 3% next year, will erode the impact of the additional funding. The DfE’s recommendation that schools absorb the 2.8% pay rise within existing budgets has been met with scepticism and concern.
In addition to pay increases, the DfE has highlighted other strategies to improve teacher recruitment and retention. These include expanding access to flexible working arrangements and enhancing support for teachers from diverse backgrounds. The department has also pledged to announce the final pay award as early as possible after April 2025, aiming to address schools’ concerns over budget planning delays.
While the proposed 2.8% pay rise for 2025-26 aligns with inflation forecasts, its perceived inadequacy and lack of dedicated funding have sparked widespread criticism. With teacher shortages persisting and financial pressures mounting, the debate over how best to support the education workforce continues. All eyes will be on the STRB’s final recommendation and the government’s response in the coming month