Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language
Following extensive negotiations with unions and the WLGA, the Welsh Government presented a new enhanced pay offer for teachers and headteachers.
For the 2022/23 academic year, in addition to the 5% pay rise already awarded, the revised pay offer comprised an additional 3%, of which 1.5% is consolidated and 1.5% is non-consolidated.
Consequently, I will today make the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Order 2023 which gives effect to section 2 of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document 2022 (revised) – April 2023.
The pay award will be backdated to 1 September 2022. Timing of the implementation of the award will be a matter for employers. Initial discussions with local authorities have been positive, with the aim to arrange for back pay to be passed on as soon as possible, hopefully before the end of April.
The Order being made today brings into effect the pay increases for the current 2022/23 academic year only. The making of a Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Order is an annual process and the proposed further 5% pay increase for the 2023/24 academic year will be implemented in the next Teacher’s Pay and Conditions Order, along with any other changes to conditions following further negotiations.
I would, once again, like to thank everyone who has participated in these constructive negotiations which have brought us to this point. I welcome the opportunity to continue to work together with stakeholders on a comprehensive review of the structure of teachers’ and leaders’ pay and conditions. This will provide us with further opportunities to improve and enhance the system and, where we can, make it fairer and more transparent for all teachers. Such partnership working will also help to promote teaching as a profession of choice for graduates and career changers.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.