Teachers back on strike across Suffolk after rejecting pay offer
National Education Union members and others are on strike again after rejecting the Government's latest offer
Last updated 27th Apr 2023
Many teachers in Suffolk are back out on picket lines today, in an going dispute with government over pay, conditions and funding.
National Education Union members and others are on strike again after rejecting the Government's latest offer of a 4.5% pay rise and a one-off lump sum.
"Our pupils are going to have less opportunity"
Scott Lyons is the National Education Union representative for Suffolk. He said:
"Regrettably the government did no make the offer the unions were hoping for... it's a one off unconsoliodated offer, its unfunded. It's not what teachers or school staff are looking for and certainly not what schools are looking for."
"We're looking for a funded pay offer so we can start making a long term investment in schools and education."
"I spoke to a school last week... they've cut their modern foreign language provision from five languages to just one, as they can only get French teachers."
"This is the reality, our pupils are going to have less opportunity unless we start we start taking recruitment, retention and pay seriously for teachers"
"We are losing days of pay to do this"
Annie is a teacher based in Norfolk:
"We do the most unpaid overtime in any job. It is time that we are properly paid for what we do, it's been a long time since we've had a decent pay rise.
"We have got staff that cannot afford to drive, we have got staff going to foodbanks. Teaching is a profession where you need a degree".
"I get this is disruptive, I have children myself. But it's not a light decision because we are losing days of pay to do this. That makes it tighter for us to cover our bills, tighter to pay our mortgage.
"But if we don't stand now and try and get what we need, this is going to continue and we are going to be in the same situation in a years time".
What has the Government said?
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
“Any strike action is hugely damaging. We have made a fair and reasonable pay offer to teachers recognising their hard work and commitment.
“Thanks to the further £2 billion pounds we are investing in our schools, next year, school funding will be at its highest level in history.”