**Welsh Government Announces 4% Teacher Pay Rise, Rejecting Higher Independent Recommendation**
Teachers across Wales will receive a 4% pay increase from September 2025, following an announcement by the Welsh Government that has sparked debate among educators and unions. The decision comes after ministers chose to set aside an independent panel’s recommendation for a 4.8% rise, citing concerns over budgetary constraints and ongoing pressures on school finances.
The new pay offer aligns with increases proposed for teachers in England, with Education Secretary Lynne Neagle confirming that the entire 4% increase will be funded by the Welsh Government. This assurance is notable, as funding for similar awards in England is not expected to be covered in full by the central government there, leaving schools in England to find solutions for the shortfall. In Wales, previously, schools have at times been forced to finance pay increases from already stretched budgets, resulting in cutbacks to resources and staffing.
The Independent Wales Pay Review Body (IWPRB), the group responsible for providing independent advice on teacher salaries, urged a higher 4.8% rise. Their rationale centred on the critical need to improve recruitment and retention in the profession—a challenge long highlighted by teaching unions. The IWPRB also noted that teachers’ pay in Wales had dropped in real terms over the past decade and underlined that private sector workers had enjoyed average pay increases more generous than those in teaching.
Despite these recommendations, the Education Secretary defended the government’s cautious stance, pointing out that Welsh teachers were awarded a 5.5% pay rise the previous year—outpacing the IWPRB’s own recommendation for that period. The current 4% rise is, she argued, part of a two-year pay increase amounting to nearly 9.7%, which closely mirrors the cumulative figure advised by the IWPRB.
Consultation on the details of this pay award is now underway, with unions and school leaders analysing what “fully funded” will mean in practice. Recent experience has made some teacher representatives wary about whether money intended for salaries truly reaches every school. Laura Doel of NAHT Cymru expressed concerns that the lower offer failed to address the profession’s value and the reality of rising school operating costs. She highlighted that, in the absence of genuinely full funding, schools could face difficult choices around staff redundancies or reductions in pupil provision.
Claire Armitstead from the Association of School and College Leaders Cymru echoed these sentiments, noting disappointment that the independent panel’s recommendations were not fully embraced. However, she welcomed the Welsh Government’s funding commitment and pressed for assurances that all local authorities would pass the allocated resources on to every school. It is widely recognised across the sector that schools are under significant financial strain, and any increase in staffing costs could have direct implications for educational provision unless extra funding follows.
Nicola Fitzpatrick, Wales Secretary of the National Education Union, commented that consultation among union members would be essential moving forward. She stressed the paramount importance of ensuring that the increased pay is delivered as intended to every school, with clear and transparent funding arrangements across all local authorities. There is a general consensus among unions that any gap between intention and implementation could exacerbate existing recruitment and retention challenges.
The Welsh Government has indicated it is considering additional recommendations from the IWPRB, such as proposals concerning ALN (Additional Learning Needs) Coordinators and changes to the teacher pay structure that could remove barriers between the main and upper pay scales. These potential reforms are also subject to consultation and could be implemented alongside the new pay award.
In her statement, Education Secretary Lynne Neagle reiterated the challenge of balancing financial realities with the need to recognise the dedication and skill of Welsh teachers. “It is crucial that we continue to attract high-quality individuals into the profession while ensuring sustainability for our education system as a whole,” she said, inviting written submissions before a final decision is made.
For the time being, teaching unions are taking the government’s offer back to their members and preparing for further dialogue on teacher pay. The outcome of the consultation is expected to shape not only salaries but also the future direction of education policy in Wales, as stakeholders seek both fairness for teachers and stability within school budgets.