Teacher Pay Increase Plans in Wales
The new Plaid Cymru government aims to provide teachers in Wales with a pay increase comparable to that offered in England, according to Education Minister Anna Brychan.
Speaking to the BBC, Brychan stated the government would be "looking to" at least match the pay awards granted to teachers across the border.
In England, teachers have been offered a 6.5% pay rise spread over three years by the UK government. This offer has been described as an "insult" by one union, which argued it would not even keep pace with inflation. The same union has now criticized Brychan for not prioritizing teachers' pay.
Delay in Publishing Pay Review Report
Regarding pupils' use of mobile phones in schools, Brychan expressed that she did not believe there was a place for such devices "in the school day and within school."
Last week, the Welsh government informed teaching unions of its decision to delay the publication of a report by the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body. This report contains recommended percentage increases for the 2026-27 pay award and is understood to be complete.
The report was originally scheduled for release on Friday, 12 June, followed by a four-week consultation period.
On BBC Radio Wales Breakfast on Wednesday, Brychan explained her desire for additional time to carefully review the report's recommendations.
"There are a number of them in this report," she said. "Some of them are on pay and some of them are wider as well. I want to give a considered response to this."
The minister added,
"The timeline for when these reports are received is something we need to look at. Traditionally it has been very difficult and very rare that an announcement has been made on pay before the summer."
She further noted,
"There is an awful lot in these to consider."
Position on Matching England's Pay Award
Regarding the size of the final pay deal, Brychan stated,
"We'd be looking to match pay awards for teachers in England.
We haven't heard yet what the pay award is [the final deal teachers in England receive]. We need to be mindful of our budget and local authorities in Wales to pay these salaries.
We have to be very careful, there's conversations to have, but that is my position, yes."
Previous ministers have followed a "no detriment" principle, ensuring that teacher pay settlements in Wales are not lower than those in England.
Union Reactions and Inflation Context
England's largest teaching union, the National Education Union (NEU), announced last month it would hold a formal ballot on potential strikes in the autumn if the UK government "does not take urgent action" following the 6.5% pay award recommendation spread over three years.
The NEU described the offer as an "insult" unlikely to match inflation, the rate at which prices for goods and services increase.
Figures published on Wednesday indicate that inflation remained at 2.8% in the year to May, which is lower than previously predicted.
However, inflation is still expected to rise in the coming months due to the impact of the war in the Middle East. Analysts suggest that the peace deal agreed between the US and Iran could mitigate the extent of these increases.
Nicola Fitzpatrick from the union's Welsh division, NEU Cymru, commented on the situation,
"Teachers and school leaders deserve an above inflation pay rise that is fully funded and to delay the release of the report, and implementation of their pay award, does not instil confidence in our members that this will happen."
"Our members would be disappointed to learn that the education minister doesn't appear to see their pay as a priority."
Mobile Phones in Schools
In the Senedd on Tuesday, Brychan informed Members of the Senedd (MSs) that headteachers will be "strongly encouraged" to restrict pupils' use of mobile phones during the school day.
She pledged to establish "clear national expectations on how mobile phones are used in schools."
Speaking on BBC Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast on Wednesday, the minister elaborated,
"I don't feel there is a place for mobile phones in the school day and within school - that focusing on teaching and learning is the purpose of our schools so we will put in the consultation document the guidelines schools can put in place to ensure that."
When asked about the possibility of an outright ban, Brychan responded that she would like to see if the guidance proves effective first but added,
"I am open to the idea of banning them fully but this is a substantial, important step in that direction."
Additional reporting by Dylan Greene.
