Teachers will not receive pay awards before the summer holidays, Labour has confirmed in a move that threatens to put the party on a collision course with unions.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, said in a webinar with teachers on Tuesday that the Government would not announce its salary offer for teachers “this week”, with most schools set to break up for the summer holidays on Friday.
It means a decision will likely not come until later in the summer break or at the start of the next school year, despite calls from unions for immediate clarity.
Ms Phillipson, who has been in the job for less than two weeks, said she wanted to “start in the spirit that I intend to proceed, which is being honest and levelling with people”.
She added: “Just to be absolutely clear, I’m afraid that we won’t be able to confirm the teacher pay award this week.
“I know that is frustrating and we know there’s an urgency around that. And we’re working across government to act as quickly as we can.”
Ms Phillipson said the Government would also…
