UK government announces 3.5% teacher pay rise with partial funding; unions consider strike action

Teachers in England will receive a 3.5% pay rise from September 2026 and 3% the following year, the Department for Education announced.

• The DfE allocated £1.8bn in additional funding but said schools must cover the first 1% of each rise from existing budgets.
• Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the offer demonstrated the "immense value we place in our teachers."
• The National Education Union said it is "considering all options" including a formal ballot on strike action.
• The government also announced tighter controls on academy trust executive pay, requiring approval for salaries above £174,000.