The Welsh Government has confirmed a 3.5% uplift to teachers' and school leaders' pay scales, alongside a 5% uplift for unqualified teachers. Further education lecturers will also receive a 3.5% uplift to ensure pay parity.
Education minister Anna Brychan acknowledged there had been disappointment over the proposed pay rise, admitting that the 4.25% rise recommended by an independent body was "not affordable". She said the decision to match the English pay award of 3.5% was taken because they "do not wish to see teachers and school leaders in Wales disadvantaged relative to those in England".
Consultation and delays
In July, the education minister said she would consult on the 3.5% rise confirmed today. That came after she had delayed publishing the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) report on the 2026-27 academic year pay award for school leaders and teachers, sparking criticism.
Publishing the report belatedly on July 13, the Welsh Government added to teachers' fury by also confirming it would not be following the recommended pay rise within it.
Union dispute and ALN funding
It comes as key union NAHT remain in dispute with the Welsh Government. On September 30, NAHT, which represents education leaders, said its members had "delivered an overwhelming mandate for industrial action". That cited pay, as well as additional learning needs (ALN) funding.
There was some limited movement on ALN funding earlier this week when the Plaid Cymru government announced it had done a deal with Labour to pass the supplementary budget, of which ALN funding was the main sticking block.
ASCL Cymru said last month it wanted more money for ALN and a "clear commitment that there will be no detriment to teacher pay in Wales, with future pay awards fully funded by the Welsh Government".
Minister's statement and next steps
Anna Brychan's statement in full: "In July, I updated members about my intention to consult in September on the latest teacher pay award. This consultation has now been undertaken and I would like to thank partners for their responses.
"I can confirm that next week I will publish a revised version of the School Teachers Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document 2026/27 and guidance on school teachers' pay and conditions (STPC(W)D) which will include a 3.5% uplift to teachers' and school leaders' pay scales, and a 5% uplift to the unqualified teachers' pay scale. Further Education lecturers will also receive a 3.5% uplift to ensure pay parity.
"I appreciate the responses to the consultation expressing disappointment that the proposed pay award does not match the IWPRB recommendation. However, a 4.25% increase was not affordable within existing budgets and I have therefore taken the decision to implement a lower award.
"Given the precarious financial climate, we have to balance a range of responsibilities across our public services. As well as our support of the teaching profession, we are also committed to reducing waiting times for NHS patients, addressing the cost-of-living for families and tackling child poverty. As part of this cross-government decision-making, we are mindful that any pay deals will need to be fair and proportionate.
"I remain committed to the principle of no detriment, and do not wish to see teachers and school leaders in Wales disadvantaged relative to those in England. As such, we have committed to a 3.5% pay increase this year, to match that recommended in England.
"I can also confirm that the revised STPC(W)D will include the changes I consulted on, including changes to implement three of the IWPRB's previous recommendations, which are the result of close social partnership working: a single pay scale for classroom teachers so that they will progress up the pay scale and see their pay increase accordingly, every year; changes to ensure leaders' holiday periods and weekends are protected; and removing barriers to teachers accessing existing salary sacrifice schemes for cars.
"To implement these changes, next week I will also make the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions (No. 2) (Wales) Order 2026 which gives effect to the STPC(W)D. The pay award will be backdated to 1 September 2026. Timing of the implementation of the award will be a matter for employers, and I encourage them to arrange for back pay to be passed on as soon as possible.
"Over the summer, I also remitted the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body to begin considering their recommendations ahead of the pay award for 2027/28, to enable those recommendations to be made earlier than was possible in the previous year."
