Commenting on an analysis by the NFER which calls for faster increases to teachers’ pay to address teacher recruitment and retention, Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union said:

“The teaching profession is in the midst of a crisis of recruitment, retention and morale, with 40,000 teachers leaving in the last year alone.

“Teachers’ pay has fallen in real terms by as much as 30% over the last decade as a direct result of the policies of the current Government.

“Today’s report provides yet more evidence, if it were needed, that the Government has categorically failed to deliver the measures needed to recruit and retain the teachers the system needs.

“Only by committing to a new deal for teachers will we begin to see the necessary action being taken to boost teachers’ pay and deliver the world-class working conditions that will bring to an end the recruitment and retention crisis that continues to undermine pupils’ education.

“Regrettably, the current Government seems not only unwilling, but incapable of delivering what is needed for our children and young people.

“It is high time the Prime Minister stops holding the country’s teachers and pupils to ransom.

“If Ministers want to win the support of teachers, they need to demonstrate that they are willing to act to tackle the root cause of the recruitment and retention crisis before it gets even worse.”