Teachers warn of autumn strikes over 'unacceptable' pay offer
The National Education Union (NEU) could ballot members for strike action this autumn if the government doesn't revise its 2.8% pay offer
Teachers in England could walk out again this autumn as tensions rise over a proposed 2.8% pay rise that unions say simply isn’t enough – especially without extra money to fund it.
At the National Education Union (NEU) conference in Harrogate, members voiced frustration over government plans that would force schools to make "efficiencies" – a move teachers argue will hurt both staff and students.
What’s happening?
The NEU, which is England’s largest teaching union, has warned it will launch a formal ballot for strike action if the government doesn’t sweeten its current pay proposal or commit to extra school funding.
If the ballot goes ahead and enough members vote in favour, teachers could strike again from the autumn term.
This follows eight strike days in 2023, which saw thousands of schools close. Back then, the government offered a 6.5% pay rise after pressure from the union – a figure that dropped to 5.5% in 2024, and now sits at a proposed 2.8% for 2025.
Why are teachers pushing back?
For many teachers, it’s not just about the pay packet – it’s about the message the current offer sends.
“We need to make 'efficiencies' – what's that meant to be? We already don't have enough,” said Dalilia Espindula, a primary school teacher from Enfield. Speaking at the conference, she apologised to parents for the potential disruption but stressed strikes were a last resort.
Steve Ryan, a food tech teacher from Hertfordshire preparing for retirement, said morale had hit rock bottom: “There’s much less respect for teachers than there ever used to be. Staff are leaving schools in droves.”
He added, “The biggest issue is that the pay recommendation hasn't come with additional funding.”
NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede echoed this, saying: “No teacher wants to take strike action, but there is nothing as disruptive, actually at the moment, as an underfunded education system.”
What happens next?
Each year, the independent School Teachers Review Body (STRB) reviews pay recommendations. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson currently has its 2025 report and is expected to publish it soon.
She has so far stood firm, saying: “With school staff, parents and young people working so hard to turn the tide on school attendance, any move towards industrial action by teaching unions would be indefensible.”
The NEU is waiting for the government’s final word – including how much of a rise will be offered, and whether there will be any new funding attached. If the union finds the offer "unacceptable", a formal strike ballot could follow.
In an informal vote held last week, 93.7% of NEU members rejected the 2.8% offer, and 83.4% said they would be willing to strike. However, the turnout was under 50%.
If the ballot proceeds and enough members back action, parents could be facing a new wave of closures from as early as September.
So while the summer holidays may still feel a way off, it’s clear that what happens between now and then could shape how the next school year begins.
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.