ATL on condemning teachers to a pay freeze

“The Government’s plan to hit teachers with more years of excessive pay restraint will do nothing to raise their morale, and will certainly not help recruit and retain teachers.  The Government might be in denial, but the School Teachers’ Review Body has already warned of an impending crisis in teacher numbers.

“Teachers were rightly frustrated when the Chancellor announced a 1% pay freeze each year through this parliament in his Budget, but they had been at least expecting a 1% rise.  They will be dismayed the Government is now saying that schools need not even give all teachers a 1% rise.

“Political interference to further limit any chance of pay rises will not make teaching an attractive profession for graduates saddled with student debts.”