[Politics] Teachers' strike: Pay 'very difficult choice' says minister as NEU walks out in England

[Angel of Death]

How much to pay teachers is a "very difficult choice", a minister has said, as strikes hit schools in England for the second time this week. Robert Halfon said the government wanted to be fair to teaching staff but also "fair to the taxpayer". Many schools are expected to be closed or part-closed as National Education Union (NEU) members strike over pay. The union said whether strikes should continue in the autumn term was "in the government's hands". ADVERTISEMENT Friday's walkout is the seventh national strike day since February, but it is the eighth day that most schools in England have been affected by strikes, because of regional action. Teachers also walked out on Wednesday. Figures on school closures caused by this week's strikes have not been yet published, but more schools than ever were affected during the most recent action, in May. A spokesperson for the Department for Education said Friday's strike would lead to end-of-term events being cancelled, including Year 6 pupils' secondary school transition days. Teachers' strike this week: Is my school affected? Strike dates: What do junior doctors and teachers want? Labour plans £2,400 new teacher bonus to keep staff Next year's pay is being considered by the government after a report was submitted by the independent pay review body. That body has reportedly recommended a 6.5% rise for teachers, and education unions have accused the government of sitting on the report. Mr Halfon told BBC Breakfast he had not seen the final report and could not confirm that 6.5% had been recommended. He said the government "has a very difficult choice" to make, saying decisions about teachers' pay should be balanced against the fact the government has "got to spend billions of pounds helping people with the cost of living". "We've got to be as fair as possible to teachers and support staff, who work incredibly hard... but we also have to be fair to the taxpayer," he said. He said the government would make a decision after the report was published.

Link:https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66130783