Anger over pay freeze for teachers

Teachers' leaders reacted with anger today to a pay freeze for members which covers most of the next two years.

Education Secretary Charles Clarke announced a two-year 2.5 per cent increase for all teachers in England and Wales. However, in April 2005 teachers will get an extra rise, bringing the second year's increase to 2.95 per cent over a 17-month period up to the following September, with future pay deals dating from that month.

At a stroke, the Government has moved to two-year pay deals for teachers and is bringing the date of the pay round earlier in the year. Both moves aim to avoid a repeat of the budget crisis which cost thousands of jobs in the last academic year, by making schools' biggest cost - teachers' salaries - more predictable.

Teachers' leaders warned that pay restraint would make it harder to recruit good teachers. The pay deal also risks a battle over performance-related pay for senior teachers. Heads say 100,000 are due the rise but the Government says this is not affordable. The School Teachers Review Body, which recommended today's pay rises, called on both sides to work out a way forward.