Lynne Neagle MS, Cabinet Secretary for Education
In June, I published the sixth report of the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) which made a recommendation in relation to teachers’ pay from September 2025. After careful consideration of the financial implications, I then consulted with key stakeholders on a 4% pay award. I am today setting out my decision in relation to teachers’ pay for the academic year 2025/26, as I committed to doing by the end of the 2024/25 academic year.
I have considered the representations received from social partners through the consultation and confirm a 4% pay award will be implemented from September 2025. I commit to providing the additional funding to support schools to manage this increase, recognising the pressures they are under. Whilst I appreciate the frustration that this year’s pay award is below the IWPRB’s recommendation, I reiterate the importance of providing full and sustainable funding for teachers’ pay. The additional funding I have committed to providing will support local authorities and schools with the budgetary impacts of the difference between the planned pay uplift and the actual pay award.
Meeting the cost of teachers’ pay is part of the core funding provided by local authorities as supported by the Local Government Settlement and Local Authorities will have been expected to plan their budgets to include the 2025/26 pay uplift within their settlement allocations. However, as the timing did not allow for inclusion of specific and unforeseen amounts within the Settlement, I am continuing the Welsh Government practice of providing additional grant funding in-year.
We will now begin the legislative process to give effect to this announcement with the aim of laying a School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Order as soon as possible after summer recess. We intend that this pay award will be effective from 1 September 2025 and implemented in time for October 2025 pay packets. The specific timing of the implementation of the award will be a matter for employers once the pay Order is made. I will be impressing upon local authorities my firm expectation that this award is made as soon as possible.
The consultation responses showed broad support for the proposed removal of the application process for moving from the main pay scale to the upper pay scale from September 2025. As set out in my written statement of 10 June, I have committed to work with partners to consider options for the development and structure of a single consolidated pay scale and appreciate the willingness from partners to work with us on this matter.
I also recognise the important role ALNCos play in our education system, which is why I also consulted on moving them onto the leadership pay scale, as recommended by the IWPRB. I have received a number of helpful responses and my officials are working at pace with relevant social partners through the Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Partnership Forum on this matter. Additionally, I am pleased to confirm that the IWPRB are currently progressing the second the part of the remit for this year relating to leaders’ conditions of service and I look forward to receiving their report on that part of the remit later in the Autumn. I welcome the engagement of trade unions on these matters and I will provide an update in due course.
We remain committed to ensuring parity of pay between FE and schoolteachers. Therefore, I am pleased to confirm that pay parity will be maintained again this year, with the same offer of a 4% pay rise. We have budgeted for sufficient funding to be remitted to Medr to allocate to school sixth forms and colleges to meet this offer subject to the outcome of well-established joint pay negotiations between the FE sector and their recognised trade unions.
I would like to thank everyone who has participated and continues to participate in this process. Our partnership working approach is invaluable in shaping our policy here in Wales and I am committed to ensuring that we continue to work together to reward and recognise the excellent work of our teachers.