NAHT Cymru to consult members after pay rise rejection

The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) in Wales is to consult its members on next steps, including possible industrial action, after the Welsh government rejected an independent recommendation for a 4.8% pay rise for leaders and teachers.

The cabinet secretary for education, Lynne Neagle, confirmed in a written statement that the government intends to proceed with a 4% uplift for 2025/26, which it has chosen to consult on instead of the higher recommendation from the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body.

NAHT Cymru has argued that pay should be incrementally restored to 2010 levels after years of below-inflation rises that, it says, have cut salaries by almost a fifth in real terms and worsened recruitment and retention problems in schools.

Laura Doel, national secretary of NAHT Cymru, said: “To not even consult on the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body recommendation of 4.8% demonstrated that the review body process is flawed and that what an independent body recommends to pay teachers and leaders pales into insignificance when it might cost money.

“To say the school funding crisis is part of the consideration is totally unfair on school leaders and teachers, when the crisis is not of their making. We continue to dispute the claim that 4% will be fully-funded, given conversations with the government about additional money being calculated on an average basis and local government funding inconsistencies.”

She added: “To say we are bitterly disappointed by this announcement is an understatement and we are consulting members on all next steps open to us as a union, including industrial action.”

A final decision on the 2025/26 pay award is expected later this year following the consultation period.