July 13, 2026 - 151 views
The Welsh Government has announced plans to consult on a 3.5% pay award for teachers and school leaders from September, alongside a higher 5% increase for unqualified teachers.
In a written statement published today, Cabinet Secretary for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan said the proposals would be put forward for consultation when schools return after the summer holidays.
The Welsh Government said it would provide additional funding to local authorities and schools to cover the cost of the pay award.
Additional funding will also be made available to Medr, the national body responsible for planning and funding tertiary education and research in Wales, to ensure lecturers and other post-16 practitioners working in schools and further education colleges remain on equivalent pay.
The announcement follows the publication of the latest report from the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB), which recommended a 4.25% increase to all teachers' salaries and allowances from September 2026.
However, Ms Brychan said the recommendation could not be met within current education budgets.
She said: "I have carefully considered the IWPRB recommendation that all salaries and allowances be increased by 4.25% from September 2026. I have also received representations that any pay award should be fully funded.
"I am mindful of the difficult financial circumstances affecting schools and colleges and the implications that unfunded pay awards would have on budgets and staff numbers.
"The IWPRB recommendation is not affordable within existing budgets. In coming to my decision, I have had to balance the available budget and recognising and rewarding our workforce."
Alongside the proposed pay awards, the Welsh Government will also consult on introducing a single pay scale for classroom teachers, allowing them to progress automatically each year rather than through the current system.
Other proposals include changes to the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document to better protect school leaders' weekends and holiday periods.
The Cabinet Secretary also said she intends to begin future pay discussions earlier so awards can be agreed and announced more promptly.
In addition, the Welsh Government has committed funding to support doubling the length of time teachers receive full pay during maternity leave, subject to agreement between local authorities and teaching unions through changes to teachers' contracts.
The consultation on the proposed pay awards and wider reforms is expected to begin when schools return in September.
