Wales' education minister Anna Brychan has expressed hope to match teachers' pay in Wales with that in England, but stopped short of guaranteeing such a move. The statement comes amid a delay in the publication of a crucial report on teacher salaries.
Pay Report Delay
The Independent Welsh Pay Review Body's report on the 2026-27 academic year pay award for school leaders and teachers was originally scheduled for release on June 12, followed by a four-week consultation period. However, last week, the publication was postponed until after the summer holidays, with unions informed of the delay on June 10.
In England, a draft proposal for a 6.5% pay rise over three years has been put forward, leading to potential strike action as teachers ballot on the offer. The National Education Union has criticized the proposal as an insult, claiming it fails to match inflation.
The National Association of Headteachers Cymru responded strongly to the Welsh Government's unexpected delay, warning it could extend into the New Year.
Minister's Explanation
Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, Anna Brychan explained the delay: "I want to look closely at the recommendations. There are a number of recommendations in this report, some related to pay and others broader. I wanted to give a considered response."
She acknowledged potential issues with the timeline for receiving such reports, noting that it has traditionally been difficult to announce teacher pay before summer. "There's an awful lot in these to consider," she added.
Pay Matching Not Guaranteed
While Brychan said she would "be looking to" match the English award, she would not guarantee it. "We have to be very careful, mindful of our own budget and the ability of local authorities to pay these salaries," she stated. "There's conversations to have, but that certainly would be my position."
Mobile Phone Restrictions in Schools
On Tuesday, the Welsh Government announced plans to issue statutory guidance to schools on restricting mobile phone use, following a consultation beginning in September. The extent of restrictions will depend on consultation findings.
Brychan expressed full support for head teachers implementing robust restrictions, including a full ban across school sites. She explained that guidance, rather than legislation, was chosen for speed: "Legislation would take far longer. We haven't had any guidance up until this point. This we can do quickly."
Support for Social Media Ban
The education minister also voiced support for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's announcement of a social media ban for under-16s. "I am supportive of that," she said, citing growing research on the harm social media causes to children.
Brychan emphasized the need to study the ban's implementation, including learning from Australia's experience. She raised concerns about how such a ban would affect conversations in schools between learners and teachers regarding social media issues. "If learners are concerned about something they've seen on social media, how does that conversation happen in the context of a ban?" she questioned.
