England teachers win 3.5% pay rise from September with budget guardrails

The government will award England’s teachers a 3.5% pay rise from September and 3% the following year, funded by £1.8bn in extra money but requiring schools to fund the first 1% from existing budgets; academy-trust leaders’ pay will be capped and salaries above £174,000 need government approval. The NEU is weighing industrial action, calling the settlement partially funded and potentially still meaning cuts. Colleges will receive an extra £485m over two years amid inflation and budget pressures.