Educators, unions, civil society organisations and concerned citizens have secured a major victory for teachers, education support personnel, and school communities across England after the UK Government announced that it will fully fund this academic year’s teacher pay award.<\/p>\n
The decision follows sustained campaigning by union members and supporters who mobilised in communities, on social media, and through political advocacy to expose the damaging consequences of asking schools to absorb the cost of pay increases from already stretched budgets.<\/p>\n
According to the union, the government’s previous approach would have forced schools to find \u00a3460 million from existing budgets, threatening jobs, resources, and educational provision. The new commitment means that schools will not have to cut spending elsewhere to fund teachers’ salaries.<\/p>\n
The announcement also removes the threat of redundancy facing an estimated 8,300 school staff positions.<\/p>\n
Collective action delivers results<\/p>\n
Responding to the announcement, NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede said the decision marked an important shift in government policy.<\/p>\n
“Finally, we have a government that accepts the reality that any teacher pay award must be fully funded. Plugging the \u00a3460 million black hole in school budgets signals a welcome return to reality, and a message of hope for the entire school community.”<\/p>\n
NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede <\/p>\n
\ud83d\udea8Urgent message from the GS: the pay award is now fully funded. \ud83d\udea8 Education Secretary Lucy Powell has written to confirm the additional money for educator pay awards in England to be fully funded. This is a significant win for every member. Read more here. \ud83d\udc47https:\/\/bit.ly\/3TbqhQC <\/p>\n
\u2014 National Education Union (@neunion.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-09-16T16:07:12.049608462Z<\/a><\/p>\n Kebede stressed that the outcome was the direct result of collective action by union members. “Be in no doubt that the significant ground conceded by government is a consequence of NEU members’ willingness to take a stand.”<\/p>\n He paid tribute to educators and campaigners who have opposed school cuts and challenged the effects of austerity on public education.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Education International\u2019s General Secretary David Edwards stressed:<\/p>\n \u201cThe NEU’s achievement is a powerful reminder that change happens when educators build collective power and take action together.<\/p>\n By securing full funding for teacher pay, the union has protected jobs, school budgets, and educational opportunities for students across England. It has also sent a clear message: governments must fully fund public education rather than asking schools and educators to bear the cost of underinvestment.\u201d<\/p>\n Education International\u2019s General Secretary David Edwards <\/p>\n He went on reminding that, across the world, education unions are advancing the same demand through Education International’s Go Public! Fund Education campaign. \u201cThis victory demonstrates that organised educators can win concrete gains for the profession and for the communities they serve.”<\/p>\n Go Public! Fund Education<\/p>\n