The National Education Union (NEU) has rejected the UK government's pay offer for teachers in England, triggering two further days of strikes and school closures. The NEU had called the offer "insulted" and encouraged its members to reject it. The government offered teachers a £1,000 one-off payment for the current school year and an average 4.5 per cent pay rise for staff next year.
However, on a turnout of 66%, NEU members voted by an overwhelming 98% against this latest offer. This marks a setback for the education secretary, Gillian Keegan, after six days of intense negotiations last month.
Three other unions - NASUWT, Association of School and College Leaders and National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) - are also balloting members on the offer with NAHT asking if they would take industrial action if it is rejected.
While Wales and Scotland have accepted government pay offers with teachers receiving an 8% hike for 2022/23 next to a 5% rise for 2023/24 but NEU argued that this new deal is not fully funded nor does it address teacher shortages in schools.
The union has written to the education secretary informing her that NEU teacher members in England will now be taking two days' strike action on April 27th and May 2nd. The NEU is speaking to headteachers to ensure exam preparation for GCSEs and A-levels students are not interrupted by these strikes.
Members of the National Education Union have already taken part in three national strike days after rejecting a previous government pay offer earlier this year. The results from their latest ballot show that they remain committed to challenging what they see as inadequate proposals from ministers.
This is a breaking news story.