Joint union statement to the School Teachers’ Review Body in England 

A statement to the STRB from ASCL, NAHT, NEU and Community, representing the majority of teachers and school leaders in England, calls for urgent, significant and fully funded movement towards complete reversal of the real terms pay cuts for teachers and school leaders since 2010.

Huge pay cuts against inflation for teachers and school leaders have been much greater than for other comparable professions.  Pay cuts and excessive workload have driven a recruitment and retention crisis in our schools.  To repair the damage to our education service, the Government must invest properly in our teachers and school leaders.

Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“Teacher shortages have been a huge problem for many years and mean that schools and colleges often have to use supply staff and non-subject specialists to fill gaps. It is obvious that the solution must involve setting pay at a level which is sufficient to attract and retain staff, and to provide schools and colleges with the funding necessary to afford those salaries. The present government has made some steps in this direction but there is a long way to go in addressing historic pay erosion under previous administrations, and its decision to fund this year’s staff pay awards only partially has deepened financial pressures. It must do better for education.”

Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“Great schools rely on great teachers and leaders. All the government’s ambitions – from improving literacy, to tackling child poverty, to SEND inclusion – none of them can be realised without skilled experienced professionals showing up for pupils every day. The government must therefore put equal focus on delivering this fundamental requirement by investing in teachers and school leaders, reversing the real terms pay erosion of the last government, and making teaching a sustainable long-term career prospect for the best of the best to want to enter and stay in.”

Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:

“It is time for Labour to deliver on its promise of change and invest properly in our education service.  A fully funded and major pay correction to reverse the pay cuts is urgently needed to solve the recruitment and retention crisis and properly value teachers and school leaders”.

Helen Osgood, Director of Operations at Community Union, said:

“Every day, teachers go above and beyond to inspire our children. From mentoring new teachers to supporting families, they give so much and they shouldn’t have to worry about paying the bills. It’s time that their hard work was properly recognised and that they’re paid fairly for the difference they make.”

Further information

• Joint union evidence to the STRB
• Evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body: Community Union
• Supplementary Evidence to the School Teachers’ Review Body: Community Union (November 2025)