Ballots close on teacher strikes across Bucks, Beds, and Herts
Ballots on whether or not to take industrial action are closing for teachers across England and Wales today (Friday)
Teachers from some of the UKs biggest unions have been voting on whether to strike in February and March, in a row over pay.
Who are the unions and when do their ballots close?
Members of the National Education Union (NEU) have until today to cast their vote, while the NASUWT closed ballots on Monday (9).
Headteachers from the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) were also balloted.
The results of the NASUWT was revealed yesterday and whilst nine out of ten members voted in favour of the strikes, the turnout was below 50%.
The union said it remained in dispute with the Government despite only achieving a 42% turnout.
"This is a long time coming"
Sam Browne is Headteacher at Radnage Primary School in Buckinghamshire, he says the education sector is facing a number of problems: "This is a long time coming.
"I think for quite a few years the education system has been in crisis, in terms of recruitment and retention.
"One of the biggest factors in that is pay. Pay has not increased in line with inflation."
He added: "Having the best teachers and the best teaching assistants in place working with the children in essential.
If you can't pay them, you won't have the best teachers and best teaching assistants. That will have a massive knock on effect on children's education."
If strikes are voted for, when will they happen?
Results of the other ballots will be published over the next few days - with results from the NEU coming on 16th January.
The current offer on the table of 5% pay increase from government falls short of the 12% requested by NEU.
What does the government say?
A No 10 spokesperson said: "The Education Secretary held a meeting earlier this week, a constructive meeting with union leaders, and I believe that she held a similar meeting today.
"She agreed the importance of working together to avoid strike action that would be damaging to children. We know the disruption that children have already faced in terms of their education due to the pandemic, so we obviously don't want to see any further disruption.
"We continue to want to try and help and facilitate teachers and the unions receive a fair and affordable pay deal.
"But as I say that the most important thing is that we continue to talk."