“This isn’t a pay rise” – Plaid slam cut to teachers’ pay in light of inflation

“Public sector pay must rise with inflation” – Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan MS

Responding to the Welsh Government release of the Independent Wales Pay Review Body (IWPRB) report and the statement from Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education on a below inflation pay rise for teachers, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Children and Young People Heledd Fychan MS said,

“This pay rise isn’t a pay rise – it’s essentially a cut to teachers’ pay in light of inflation.

“Teachers have been instrumental in supporting thousands of children and young people in Wales throughout one of the most difficult periods in living memory. The very least they deserve is recognition for that. Instead, what they’re getting from their Labour Government is a below inflation pay rise whilst we are in the middle of an escalating cost-of-living crisis where so many are already struggling to make ends meet.

“One in three teachers are quitting the classroom within their first five years in the profession due to workload and working conditions. If we’re serious about retaining teachers and recruiting new ones and if we are to fully realise the aspirations of the new curriculum – as well as additional learning needs and Welsh language provision – then we need to show our teachers that we value them.

“We urge the Government to re-think and at the very least offer public sector pay rises in line with inflation while easing working conditions and workloads for teachers.

“The cost-of-living crisis will not subside anytime soon. Any future Welsh Government budget needs to account for Tory frugality on public sector pay and protect the people they represent from the worst of Westminster.