An eight per cent pay rise? Latest STRB remit is ‘open but unclear’

Education secretary Nadhim Zahawi waited until December 17 before publishing his remit letter to the STRB – the independent body which makes recommendations on teachers’ pay.

The letter reiterates the government’s commitment to increasing starting salaries outside of the London pay areas to £30,000. It also states Mr Zahawi’s intention of moving to a “flatter pay progression structure”.

The STRB and its new chair Dr Mike Aldred is asked to make recommendations for pay awards in both 2022/23 and 2023/24. As part of this, Mr Zahawi has requested: “An assessment of the adjustments that should be made to the salary and allowance ranges for classroom teachers, unqualified teachers and school leaders to promote recruitment and retention, within the bounds of affordability across the school system as a whole and in the light of my views on the need for an uplift to starting salaries to £30,000.”