School strikes are officially CALLED OFF as every major teaching union backs 6.5% wage hike

SCHOOL strikes have been officially called off after every major teaching union backed a 6.5 per cent pay deal.

Members of the National Education Union (NEU), NASUWT and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) agreed to end their industrial action.

It comes after ministers announced a 6.5 per cent pay rise for teachers earlier this month - following months of walkouts.

Teachers have already walked out on kids for eight days since February this year in a row over pay ad conditions.

An electronic ballot of the NEU’s teacher members saw 86 per cent vote to accept the progress made and end industrial action on a turnout of 60 per cent.

It means no more planned strikes for the autumn term.

The Education Secrertary welcomed the news as "good for children".

Gillian Keegan said: "The deal brings an end to the disruption faced by parents and young people and means we can focus on what matters most – giving our children a world class education.

"That means tackling persistent absence and getting every child through the school gates every day, a relentless focus on closing the gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, and continued action to help young people make up for time lost during the pandemic."

Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretaries of the National Education Union, said: "As a democratic union, the NEU leadership promised members that any pay and funding offer given by Government that warranted their consideration would be put to them. Members have spoken very clearly and in great numbers.

"The strike action taken by our members also shifted the dial, securing the highest pay award for over thirty years. Members should be proud they have also secured extra funding for schools.

“The Government should be in no doubt that we will hold its feet to the fire on delivering for teachers and support staff on workload and funding.

"It remains the view of the NEU that school and college funding is far from adequate. It remains a commitment of the NEU to campaign for further increases in teacher pay."

Earlier this month, a rare joint statement between the PM, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and the four biggest unions announced the deal.

Union bosses insisted they have received cast-iron assurances funding for the pay rises will not squeeze school's frontline services.

At 6.5 per cent teachers have bagged the biggest pay rise of all public sector workers who have been awarded around 6 per cent.

Mr Sunak said the government's chequebook is now closed and unions can either like it or lump it.

He said: "Today’s offer is final. There will be no more talks on pay. We will not negotiate again on this year’s settlements. And no amount of strikes will change our decision."