The UK government has announced an additional £500 million in funding for schools in England to support a 3.5% pay increase for teachers this school year. This move aims to alleviate concerns from the National Education Union (NEU) regarding the potential for strike action, as schools were initially expected to cover part of the pay rise from their existing budgets.
The funding will be sourced from savings in employer contributions to the local government pension scheme. NEU leaders have welcomed this development, viewing it as a significant step towards addressing funding challenges faced by schools and improving conditions for educators.