Government Confirms 4% Teacher Pay Rise with Partial Funding Support

The Department for Education (DfE) has accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body's (STRB) recommendation for a 4% pay increase for teachers in England, effective from September 2025. To support this, the government has allocated an additional £615 million in funding.

However, schools are expected to cover approximately a quarter of the pay rise themselves, amounting to around £400 million. This requirement comes on top of existing budgetary constraints and previously planned savings.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stated that the pay award, "backed by major investment," acknowledges the "crucial role teachers play in breaking the link between background and success."

The STRB had initially recommended a 2.8% pay rise but revised it to 4% to support the government's goal of recruiting an additional 6,500 teachers. The DfE's own analysis had previously suggested that schools could afford a 1.3% pay rise through £400 million in "headroom" within their budgets.

Unions have expressed concerns about the affordability of the pay rise for schools. The National Education Union (NEU) warned that the unfunded portion could lead to service cuts, job losses, and potential industrial action if full funding isn't provided.

The DfE maintains that the additional funding will be sourced from reprioritising within its own budgets to protect frontline services. A £40 million hardship fund has also been announced to support schools facing the greatest financial challenges.

As schools prepare for the upcoming academic year, the balance between implementing the pay rise and maintaining educational standards remains a pressing concern.