London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 14, 2026

Wales strikes: Teachers reject pay offer and will take action

Wales strikes: Teachers reject pay offer and will take action

Teachers have rejected a Welsh government pay offer and are set to go on strike next month.

The National Education Union postponed Tuesday's strike but will now walk out on 2 March following a meeting between officials.

Ministers had offered an extra 1.5% pay rise, plus 1.5% as a one-off payment.

Teachers in the NEU and the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) previously rejected this year's pay rise of 5%.

Had they accepted the new offer, that would have meant a 6.5% pay rise with an additional one-off 1.5% this year.

Two further strikes are planned for 15 and 16 March.

The union's joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: "In good faith the union postponed the day of action scheduled for 14 February, whilst we conveyed full details of (education minister) Jeremy Miles' offer and sought feedback from members in Wales.

"They have emphatically informed us that the offer of an additional 1.5% added to teachers' pay, plus an additional 1.5% lump sum is simply not good enough."

Mr Courtney insisted it failed to address the cost of living crisis, inflation, or the "damage" to pay since 2010.

"We have a clear mandate for strike action that is now rescheduled for 2 March in schools across Wales," he said.

David Evans said NEU Cymru was committed to seeking a resolution to the dispute.

The NEU's Wales secretary, David Evans, said NEU Cymru was committed to seeking a resolution to the dispute.

He said it would meet Welsh government education minister, Jeremy Miles, as often as necessary.

"Whilst we acknowledge that the Welsh government has made offers that include seeking to address workload and reopening negotiations for 2023/24, those offers still fall short of our members expectations and needs," he said.

The Welsh government said it appreciated teachers' work but that it was operating under "challenging financial constraints".

It believed its pay offer was "strong".

"We are keen to continue to have discussions with partners," a spokesman said.
Cadija Balde said she would not be able to work during the strike


Outside Baden Powell Primary, in Tremorfa, Cardiff, parents said they backed teachers.

Cadija Balde said: "For me as a mum I support them, but as a mum it will affect me with the kids being off school as I want to go to work.

"If my son cannot go to school, I cannot work."

Claire Bailey said teachers deserved a pay increase.

She said: "They work hard enough and everything they've done throughout Covid, I can't thank them enough, so the least they can do is offer them a pay rise."

Jenny Ashton said teachers should get fair pay


Jenny Ashton said: "I back them. If you see how much work they do, they are bringing up our kids, we're not the only ones doing it.

"So I think they should get fair pay."

Laura Boyd said: "They are struggling with the current crisis and financial needs, and even though they work long hours, and get the holidays they do, they still need a pay rise to try and pay their own bills and support their own families."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Offers Condolences Following Death of Qatar’s Father Amir
UK Regional Innovation Policy Focuses on Research Clusters Across Scotland, Wales, and Northern England
UK Corporate Transparency Rules Set to Become More Strict Under Modern Slavery Reform Plans
UK Civil Service Estate Strategy Shifts Government Activity Away From London
UK Strengthens National Security Powers Through New Threat Designations
Greater Manchester Police Conduct Drink and Drug Driving Operations After Football Events
UK Government Advances Darlington Economic Campus With Construction Milestone
UK Authorities Increase Football-Related Security Operations After Tournament Fixtures
UK Invests Fifty-One Million Pounds in National Cryogenics Facility and Regional Innovation Hubs
UK Moves Toward Tougher Modern Slavery Reporting Rules With Corporate Penalties
UK Government Reports Forty-Three Million Pounds in Savings From Office Estate Reform
UK Government Expands Civil Service Regional Strategy With Manchester and Darlington Campus Projects
UK Designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as National Security Threat
United Kingdom Financial Markets Monitor Business Response to Economic Policy Changes
Scottish Renewable Energy Expansion Highlights Need for Faster Grid Development
Wales and Regions Strengthen Focus on Economic Development Through Tourism and Investment
Retail Industry Warns High Street Businesses Remain Under Pressure
Police Chiefs Highlight Growing Challenges Managing Protests and Public Order
Agriculture Leaders Seek Clarity on Post-Brexit Farming Support and Environmental Rules
Transport Unions Warn of Further Industrial Action Over Pay and Working Conditions
Welsh Tourism Sector Reports Strong Growth Driven by Domestic and International Visitors
National Infrastructure Review Gains Support as Leaders Seek Faster Project Delivery
Financial Markets Assess Impact of United Kingdom Corporate Tax Policy Changes
Northern Ireland Assembly Debates Cross-Border Trade and Infrastructure Cooperation Plans
Government Opens Consultations on Housing Reform and Planning System Changes
Scottish Government Faces Pressure to Accelerate Offshore Wind and Grid Expansion
National Energy System Operator Warns Grid Investment Is Needed for Future Electricity Demand Growth
United Kingdom Research Council Invests in Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology Innovation Hubs
United Kingdom Expands Oversight of Skilled Worker Visa Sponsors Amid Migration Debate
Cross-Party MPs Call for National Infrastructure Strategy Review to Accelerate Economic Growth
Prime Minister Announces One Billion Pound NHS Funding Package Ahead of Winter Pressures
Bank of England Signals Cautious Approach to Interest Rates as Inflation Remains Above Forecasts
World Cup Visitors Turn American Big-Box Stores Into Souvenir Stops
Netflix Weighs Always-On Channels, Bundles and Short-Form Video
Passenger Is Pulled Partly Outside Ryanair Jet After Window Fails Mid-Flight
Innovation-led growth strategy
Public service reform pressure
Defence and industrial security
Labour leadership transition and economic reset
Northern England Pushes for Greater Influence in Britain’s Future Economic Model
UK Technology Strategy Focuses on Life Sciences, Digital Innovation and Research Investment
Britain and United States Maintain Focus on Pharmaceuticals Cooperation and Industrial Growth
UK Public Services Face Continued Pressure as Government Promises Visible Improvements
Regional Economic Power Becomes Key Theme in Britain’s Next Political Phase
Britain Expands Support for Small Businesses as Firms Seek Better Access to Finance
UK Economy Remains Central Political Challenge as Cost of Living and Growth Concerns Persist
National Health Service Introduces New Workplace Reviews to Improve Conditions for Healthcare Staff
UK Life Sciences Sector Secures More Than Three Billion Pounds in Investment to Support Innovation
Britain Strengthens Defence Strategy as Security Concerns Reshape Military and Industrial Policy
Andy Burnham Promises Stronger UK Defence Industry and Expanded Domestic Production
×