The UK government has confirmed that teachers in England will receive a 5.5% pay rise from September 2026, following the recommendations of the School Teachers' Review Body (STRB). The increase, which will be backdated to September 2025, is intended to address recruitment and retention challenges in the profession.
Government Accepts Pay Review Body Recommendation
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the decision on Thursday, stating that the government has accepted the STRB's recommendation in full. The pay rise will apply to all teachers and school leaders in maintained schools in England, with funding provided to schools to cover the additional costs.
Phillipson said: “This government is committed to making teaching an attractive profession again. This pay rise recognises the hard work and dedication of teachers, and we are providing the funding to ensure schools can deliver it.”
Impact on Recruitment and Retention
The pay award is part of a broader effort to tackle teacher shortages. According to the Department for Education, teacher vacancies in England have risen by 20% over the past year, with subjects like maths, science, and languages particularly affected.
The National Education Union (NEU) welcomed the pay rise but called for more sustained investment. NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede said: “This is a step in the right direction, but years of below-inflation pay awards have left teachers worse off. We need a long-term plan to restore pay to 2010 levels.”
Funding for Schools
The government has pledged an additional £1.2 billion in funding for schools to cover the pay rise, with an extra £200 million for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. School leaders have expressed relief at the funding but warned that it may not be enough to cover all cost pressures.
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “While we welcome the funding, schools are still facing significant financial pressures from rising energy costs and other inflationary pressures. The government must ensure that this funding is sufficient.”
Reaction from Opposition
The Conservative Party criticised the pay rise, arguing that it should be tied to performance. Shadow Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “We support higher pay for teachers, but it must be linked to improving standards. This blanket increase does nothing to reward the best teachers or drive up outcomes for pupils.”
The Liberal Democrats called for the pay rise to be extended to further education lecturers, who have not received a similar increase. Education spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Further education colleges are struggling to recruit and retain staff. The government must ensure that FE lecturers are not left behind.”
