UK Teachers Consider Strikes Over Proposed 2.8% Pay Increase

The National Education Union plans a ballot to gauge support for industrial action, citing concerns over recruitment, retention, and unfunded pay proposals.

• The National Education Union (NEU) will hold an indicative ballot from March 1 to April 11 to determine member support for potential strikes over the government's proposed 2.8% pay rise for 2025/26.
• Union leaders argue that the proposed pay increase is insufficient to address a long-standing recruitment and retention crisis, with teacher pay having declined by 20% since 2010 in real terms.
• The Department for Education claims the proposed 2.8% increase is above inflation forecasts and maintains pay competitiveness, but it is not fully funded, leaving schools to find efficiencies to cover costs.
• Downing Street has urged teachers to avoid strikes, highlighting concerns about further disruptions to children's education following pandemic-related absences and previous industrial actions.
• Delegates at the NEU’s annual conference in April could decide to proceed to a formal strike ballot if members show strong support for industrial action.

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