London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Apr 10, 2026

Teacher strikes: The young people in Scotland demanding better pay

Teacher strikes: The young people in Scotland demanding better pay

Young teachers in Scotland say they have been left with no choice but to continue going on strike.

The Educational Institute for Scotland (EIS) members have already taken action at schools in the constituencies of senior politicians.

The union says it's been "left with no other option" but to keep striking and wants pay rises above the rate prices are currently rising at.

It's a big factor in why 27-year-old Amy is walking out on Tuesday.

"It's hitting schools directly and it's hitting teachers directly," the teacher tells Newsbeat.

"We're subsidising for children who don't have things, like snacks, fresh fruit, and pens and pencils."

Teachers in Scotland are walking out on Tuesday and Wednesday - while there are also strikes in England and Wales this week.

But Scottish Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says the continued disruption is "completely unacceptable" and has repeated her call for unions to "resume pay talks urgently".

Amy, and teachers like her, want a pay rise and her union is hoping to target a 10% increase this year.

Unions also want schools to get extra money to ensure pay rises do not come from existing budgets.

However, teachers say it's not just about money.

EIS members have taken action at schools in the constituencies of senior Scottish politicians


Ewan, who is also striking on Tuesday, doesn't have a permanent teaching job despite six years of studying and two degrees.

Instead, the 24-year-old's had to start working a zero hours NHS job at weekends to pay the bills.

"I scrimped and saved quite a bit, but as time has gone on I've realised this isn't financially viable," he says.

"I live at home but there should be no reason that someone who goes to university for six years cannot get a job in their profession."

Ewan feels misled at the lack of work available to supply teachers too.

"You're told right the way through that there will always be jobs, that schools are in desperate need for teachers. You come out and there's nothing," he says.

The most recent pay offer to Scottish teachers was an 11.5% rise over two years - 6% from last April and 5.5% this year.

But Amy says this isn't enough.

"We understand everybody's got a budget they must stick to, but we're making sure that we've got the tools we need in order to teach our children."

Amy spends almost £80 a week on her drive to work


For Amy, the prospect of getting a job closer to where she lives is near impossible.

She says when she came out of her probationary year - a guaranteed year of teaching in a school for all newly qualified teachers in Scotland - she was among 200 people going for two jobs in one council area.

Instead, she's spending close to £80 a week on the 40-minute drive to work.

"Without it, I would have to get two trains to get to work and even that financially isn't worth it," she says.

"It's leaving me with virtually no kind of expendable cash. I feel stressed, sometimes quite upset because I was really looking forward to making my way in the world."

But despite this, she still feels lucky to have secured a permanent job - something Ewan is trying to achieve.

"I was ready to move out and get my own place," he says.

"I actually had a deposit saved up, I'd met with a mortgage advisor who said we just need to wait for a permanent contract to come through and we can move on with it.

"And no permanent contract came through."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Foreign Secretary Highlights Impact of Intensified Strikes in Lebanon
UK Urges Inclusion of Lebanon in US-Iran Ceasefire Framework
UK Stocks Ease as Ceasefire Doubts in Middle East Weigh on Investor Confidence
UK Reassesses Cloud Strategy Amid Criticism Over Limited Support Measures
UK Calls for Full and Toll-Free Access Through Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
Starmer Signals Strategic Shift for Britain Amid Escalating Iran-Linked Tensions
UK Issues Firm Warning to Russia Over Covert Underwater Military Activity
OpenAI Halts Stargate UK Project, Casting Uncertainty Over Britain’s AI Expansion Plans
Starmer Voices Frustration Over Global Pressures Driving UK Energy Costs Higher
UK Deploys Military Assets to Protect Undersea Cables From Suspected Russian Threat
Canada Aligns With US, UK and Australia as Europe Prepares Major Digital Border Overhaul
Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Appearance Sparks Fresh Speculation
Starmer Warns Sustained Effort Needed to Ensure US–Iran Ceasefire Holds
UK to Partner with Shipping Industry to Rebuild Confidence in Strait of Hormuz, Cooper Says
UK Interest Rate Expectations Ease Following US–Iran Ceasefire Agreement
Starmer Signals Major Effort Needed to Fully Reopen Strait of Hormuz During Gulf Visit
UK Fuel Prices Face Ongoing Volatility Amid Global Pressures and Domestic Factors
Kanye West’s Planned Italy Festival Appearance Draws Debate After UK Entry Ban
Smuggling Routes Shift Toward Belgium as Migrant Crossings to UK Evolve
Ceasefire Offers Potential Relief for UK Fuel and Food Prices Amid Ongoing Uncertainty
Iran Conflict Raises Questions Over UK’s Global Influence and Military Preparedness
Senator McConnell Visits Kentucky to Highlight Federal Investment in Local Projects
Kanye West Barred from Entering UK as Legal Grounds Come into Focus
UK Denies Visa to Kanye West After Sponsors Withdraw from Wireless Festival
Trump-Era Forest Service Restructuring Leads to Closure of UK Lab Focused on Kentucky Woodland Health
Foreign Students in the UK Describe Harsh Living Conditions and Financial Pressures
Reform UK Proposes Visa Restrictions on Nations Pursuing Reparations Claims
Public Reaction Divides Over UK Decision to Bar Kanye West
Calls Grow for UK to Review US Base Access Following Concerns Over Escalating Rhetoric
UK Indicates It Will Not Permit Use of Its Bases for Potential US Strikes on Iran’s Energy Infrastructure
UK Prime Minister Defends Decision to Bar Kanye West, Questions Festival Booking
UK Accelerates Efforts to Harmonise Medical Technology Rules with United States
Wireless Festival Cancelled After Kanye West Denied Entry to the United Kingdom
Australia’s most decorated living soldier was arrested at Sydney Airport and charged with five counts of war-crime murder for the killing of unarmed Afghan civilians
The CIA’s Secret Technology That Can Find You by Your Heartbeat Successfully Locates Downed Airman
Operation Europe: Trump Deploys Vance to Hungary to Save the EU
King Charles Faces Criticism From Some UK Christians Over Absence of Easter Message
Former UK Defence Secretary Raises Concerns Over Ability to Counter Iran Missile Threat
UK Signals Non-Involvement in Iran Conflict as Trump Reasserts Firm Deterrence Stance
US and UK Strengthen Medical Device Cooperation Following Tariff Removal
Trump Backs Steve Hilton for California Governor, Highlighting Reform Agenda
UK Seeks Closer Ties With Anthropic as AI Policy Divergence Emerges Across Atlantic
Experts Warn of Evolving Extremism After Teens Arrested in UK Ambulance Arson Case
UK Convenes Talks to Safeguard Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz After Conflict Escalation
Trump Highlights Strong Leadership in Critique of UK Stance on Iran
UK Authorities Review Kanye West’s Entry Status Following Festival Backlash
UK Considers Deploying Aircraft Carrier for US Independence Day Celebrations Amid Renewed Transatlantic Focus
United Kingdom Moves to Attract AI Firm Anthropic Amid Tensions with US Defense Officials
RAF Intercepts Iranian Drones in Middle East to Defend Allied Security Interests
Labour Signals Shift on Foie Gras and Fur Restrictions to Advance EU Trade Talks
×