Education Minister Anna Brychan has confirmed the Welsh Government’s decision to implement a 3.5% pay increase for teachers and school leaders, backdated to 1 September 2026.
The award includes:
- 3.5% for qualified teachers and school leaders.
- 5% for unqualified teachers.
- 3.5% for further education lecturers.
- A single classroom-teacher pay scale, with annual progression.
The Government rejected the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body’s recommendation of 4.25%, arguing that the higher award was unaffordable within existing budgets.
Revised statutory pay documentation will be published next week. Employers will determine when backdated payments are made.
Why it matters: The decision affects teachers across Wales and raises questions about recruitment, retention and the financial pressures facing school budgets.
The difference between the independent recommendation and the Government’s decision also provides an opportunity to examine how pay settlements are funded.
