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England teachers to vote on striking over pay; NEU to ballot in autumn if no action
The NEU says it will hold a formal ballot in autumn if the government maintains its pay recommendation for the next academic year. The government has proposed 6.5% pay increases spread over three years, which the NEU condemns as insufficient and unfunded. The government and the STRB are awaiting final pay offers, with an informal ballot earlier signaling strong support for action.
Why It Matters
The potential strike action could disrupt schooling and affect students, families, and school staffing. It highlights ongoing tensions over funding, inflation, and pay in England's education system.
Timeline
9 Events
NEU to ballot in autumn if government does not act on pay
May 9, 2026
The NEU says it will hold a formal ballot in autumn if the government stands by its pay recommendation and does not take urgent action.
STRB report not yet published; final pay offer not announced
May 9, 2026
The independent School Teachers Review Body's report has not yet been published, so a final pay offer has not been announced.
DfE submits 6.5% pay award proposal over three years
May 9, 2026
The Department for Education’s submission proposes a 6.5% pay award spread over 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29, with higher awards in the last two years to help schools plan.
CPI inflation 3.3% in year to March 2026
March 2026
The Consumer Prices Index inflation rate was 3.3% for the year to March 2026.
Informal indicative ballot held by NEU
2026
An informal indicative ballot held earlier in 2026 showed 48.6% turnout with 90.5% of NEU members willing to take industrial action over pay.
Pay award: 4% rise for 2025
2025
Teachers received a 4% pay rise in 2025.
Pay award: 5.5% rise for 2024
2024
Teachers received a 5.5% pay rise in 2024.
NEU calls off further action after 2023 pay offer revised to 6.5%
2023
The NEU called off further strike action after the government revised its 2023 pay offer to 6.5%.
NEU strike action in the first half of 2023
2023
NEU members went on strike over pay in the first half of 2023, forcing many schools to close on eight days of action.