NEU launches new campaign for better pay and funding  

The national executive of the National Education Union (NEU) has approved the launch of a campaign that aims to “save education and build a case over the coming months for better pay and funding”. The executive met last week to discuss the crisis in education funding and teacher pay, and have agreed to “take the argument to government, to parents and the profession”.

The executive also agreed to launch an indicative ballot in February, asking members’ willingness to take strike action on the issue of continued austerity in education.

Speaking after the executive meeting, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said: “This week’s Budget failed to address the existential crisis our schools are facing. 

“The government’s proposed 6.5% pay rise for teachers over three years – with no extra money behind it – will only worsen the situation. Cold classrooms, leaking roofs, broken toilets. Staff leaving and never replaced. Workload soaring as a result. We cannot endure any more cuts to education.”

He added: “The STRB is expected to send its report on teacher pay to the Secretary of State in February 2026. If the government responds and sticks with an under-inflation and unfunded 6.5 per cent, then we will know that yet more cuts are on the horizon. That is why the NEU executive has approved the launch of a campaign to save education and build a case over the coming months for better pay and funding.

“It is in the government’s gift to avoid a confrontation with the profession. Education is running on empty. We will not stand by as this government continues to underfund our schools and drive education into the ground. As a union we are prepared to take whatever action is necessary to save our schools.”