“We are pleased the government has accepted the recommendation of the pay review body as this is crucial for boosting teacher recruitment and retention.
“We also welcome the additional funding allocated to partially cover the cost of the pay award and recognise the difficult financial situation in which the government is working.
“The government has also improved matters with regards to the timing of the award which in past years under the previous government was announced far too late for schools to be able to plan budgets accordingly.
“However, the fact is that the funding allocated to schools does not fully cover the cost of this pay award – so this represents a further cut to school budgets which are already under a great deal of pressure.
“If the government really thinks it will be possible to bridge this funding gap through ‘improved productivity and smarter spending’ then it is mistaken. Schools have already spent many years cutting costs to the bone and beyond.
“The most likely outcome is that there will be further cuts to educational provision.
“We welcome the additional funding for colleges and other 16-19 providers. It is imperative that colleges are able to at least match school pay awards, given that the salaries of FE college teachers have fallen a long way behind those of school teachers because of lack of sufficient funding.
“Colleges are the engine room of the skills revolution the government wants to see. This is crucial for the nation’s future prosperity and the life chances of the young people they serve. They must be able to attract teachers.”