TEACHERS across Wales will be given an uplift in pay, the government has revealed.

Jeremy Miles MS, Minister for Education and Welsh Language, made an announcement today (September 8) that there will be a 1.75 per cent uplift to all pay scales and allowances in Welsh schools.

This news was agreed in principle by Welsh Government back on June 11 – but was subject to consultation with key stakeholders.

The education minister said: “I have now considered the responses to that consultation and can confirm that nothing new has emerged that warrants any significant reconsideration of the proposed pay award for teachers for 2021/22.

“Consequently, I will shortly make the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Order 2021 which gives effect to the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document 2021.”

The minister confirmed that this pay award will be backdated to September 1, 2021.

The increase in pay comes as the decision to increase teacher pay packets across the border in England remains on ice.

The minister said: “Given the UK Government’s decision to freeze public sector pay, the Welsh Government did not receive any additional funding through the Barnett formula to provide for public sector wide pay awards in 2021-22, with the exception of the NHS and those on the lowest wages.

“This is a decision of the UK Government’s making but has a direct consequence for Wales.

“It was intended that local authorities would meet any additional costs arising from this pay award from the increase in funding allocated to local authorities from the Welsh Government via the Revenue Support Grant, combined with provision from local authorities’ own revenue raising powers.

“Following discussions with local authority representatives on ongoing and exceptional budget pressures as a result of the pandemic this financial year, I can confirm that, in addition to the funding already provided, we will provide a further £6.4m towards supporting the cost of the pay award in schools and sixth forms this financial year.”

Mr Miles added to his statement that negotiations between Further Education colleges and unions are ongoing at this time.

He said: “The Welsh Government has a long-standing commitment to pay parity between teachers in school and lecturers in Further Education.

“Therefore, in addition to the funding already provided to the Further Education sector, we will also provide a further £1.5m towards supporting the cost of the pay award in Further Education Institutions this financial year.

“Today’s announcement shows the benefit of the Welsh Government gaining responsibility for these powers when combined with the positive approach of working in collaboration with all stakeholders.

“In setting teachers’ pay for the third time, we have continued to diverge from the proposals in England by awarding teachers in Wales higher pay and introducing some key changes requested by the profession.

“Moving forward, the longer-term research and review of teachers’ pay and conditions in Wales will also help to promote teaching as a profession of choice for graduates and career changers.”