Teacher strikes

‘Inadequate and unaffordable’: NAHT votes to reject pay offer

Leaders' union executive will discuss formal industrial action ballot after 90% vote against government deal

Leaders' union executive will discuss formal industrial action ballot after 90% vote against government deal

EU pupils hostile environment

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) has become the third union to formally reject the government’s pay offer.

Its leader warned any failure by ministers to return to the table to solve the dispute would “stick two fingers up to a dedicated profession”.

The union announced this morning that 90 per cent of voting members had rejected the offer of a ÂŁ1,000 one-off payment this year and 4.3 per cent pay rise for most teachers and leaders next year, on a turnout of 64 per cent.

The government must now come back to the table and solve this dispute. To do otherwise would be to stick two fingers up to a dedicated profession

In an online consultative ballot, 78 per cent said they would be prepared to vote for and take industrial action, up to and including strike action, if the offer was rejected.

It comes after both the National Education Union and Association of School and College Leaders voted to reject the offer. The NEU has already timetabled two more days of strike action.

Of NAHT members who responded to the ballot, 92 per cent said the offer was unaffordable, with not enough headroom in their budgets to fund the rise next year.

The government has said it believes a 4 per cent rise is affordable next year, and has pledged to fund the remainder of the proposed offer in 2023-24, as well as the ÂŁ1,000 payment this year.

Return to table or ‘stick two fingers up’ to profession

Paul Whiteman, the union’s general secretary, heralded the “conclusive response to the government’s offer. It has been judged inadequate and unaffordable”.

“Our members do not recognise the government’s calculations on the affordability of the offer, with the vast majority of head teachers and school business leaders saying they could not pay the rise from their existing budgets.

“This is a very clear stumbling block and one the government must listen to and solve if we hope to bring this dispute to an end.”

Whiteman warned last week that if the offer was rejected, it was “clear that industrial action by NAHT members will be necessary”.

The union’s executive will now meet to discuss next steps “including a formal ballot on industrial action.”

“The government must now come back to the table and solve this dispute. To do otherwise would be to stick two fingers up to a dedicated profession whilst at the same time turning their backs on children.

“The response from the members of all the education unions has been overwhelming – the government can be in no doubt of the strength of feeling of the education profession or their determination to stand up for themselves and for their pupils.

“We are calling on the government to match that ambition and invest seriously in the future of education in this country.”

A DfE spokesperson said the decision by unions to reject the offer “will simply result in more disruption for children and less money for teachers today”.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Teacher strikes

Maternity pay gap sparks strike in London chain

Trust that already offers maternity pay 30% above national levels faces action over 'two-tier' policy claim

Jack Dyson
Teacher strikes

Striking teachers tell trust to extend lunch break instead of lessons

Teachers across 14 Outwood Grange trust schools to strike this week over plans to extend day past 2.30pm

Jack Dyson
Teacher strikes

NASUWT would ballot if DfE rejects higher STRB pay recommendation

Conference also seeks 'immediate' ballot if pay award is not 'fully-funded'

Freddie Whittaker
Teacher strikes

Labour MPs ‘will pay high political price’ over teacher pay, vows Kebede

NEU leader pledges to campaign in MPs' constituencies if teachers don't get an improved and fully-funded pay settlement

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *