TEACHING unions have called for real-terms pay cuts to be reversed after the Department for Education claimed that a below-inflation 2.8 per cent pay rise “would be appropriate” for teachers in 2025-26.

The National Education Union (NEU), Community, school leaders’ union NAHT and the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) made a joint submission to the School Teachers Review Body (STRB) today.

The independent body, which makes recommendations on teacher pay in England, is considering the department’s proposal, which sparked threats of strikes by the NEU and NASUWT earlier this week.