What Is the New Teacher Pay Rise for 2025?
The UK government has confirmed a 4% pay increase for all teachers in England and Wales from September 2025, accepting the full recommendation of the School Teachers’ Review Body (STRB).
This announcement, made on 22 May 2025, is being positioned as a pivotal element of the government’s education reform strategy, aimed at addressing teacher recruitment and retention challenges.
The decision raises starting salaries outside London to £33,000 and pushes average teacher pay above £51,000, further building on the 5.5% increase granted in 2024. It aligns closely with current inflation levels, which stood at 3.5% in April, slightly up from 2.6% the previous month.
According to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, this pay award is “backed by major investment” and serves to recognise the vital role teachers play in “breaking the link between background and success.”
The STRB had originally been asked to consider a lower increase of 2.8%, but ultimately recommended a more generous 4%, warning that anything less would jeopardise teacher supply and undermine recent efforts to attract new talent into the profession.
How Is the Government Funding the 2025 Teacher Pay Increase?
Although the government has allocated £615 million in additional funding to support the increase, this does not cover the full cost.
Schools will be required to fund approximately one-quarter of the pay award themselves, amounting to a projected shortfall of £350 to £400 million. This expectation comes on top of existing savings already factored into school budgets.
Teacher Pay Rise 2025 – Funding Breakdown
| Source of Funding | Amount | Purpose |
| Government Additional Funding | £615 million | Covers 3% of the 4% increase |
| School Budget “Headroom” Contribution | £400 million | Covers previously budgeted shortfalls |
| Further Savings Required from Schools | £350+ million | Needed to meet full funding requirement |
In a written statement to Parliament, Phillipson urged schools and colleges to “do their part” by improving productivity and making “smarter spending choices.”
She acknowledged that these savings would not be easy, but insisted that schools, like the broader public sector, must ensure that every pound of public money is used efficiently.
Why Are Education Unions Still Unhappy?
While the pay rise has been largely welcomed in principle, unions have criticised the funding arrangements and questioned whether schools can afford to make further savings without compromising service delivery.
Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said the funding shortfall could result in:
- Cuts to essential services for students
- Increased workloads for already overburdened staff
- Potential job losses within schools
He also warned that the NEU is prepared to register a formal dispute with the government if the funding gap is not fully addressed. Other union leaders, such as Paul Whiteman of the NAHT, share similar concerns about the affordability of the uplift.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has also weighed in. Analyst Luke Sibieta noted that, although this pay rise is above inflation, teacher salaries remain around 8% lower in real terms compared to 2010.
This long-term erosion of wages, exacerbated by historical pay freezes, continues to drive dissatisfaction in the sector.
How Will the 2025 Pay Rise Affect Teacher Recruitment and Retention?
A key objective of the 2025 pay reform is to tackle the growing teacher shortage. The government has set a target of hiring 6,500 additional teachers by the end of the current Parliament.
The pay increase, alongside a package of professional incentives, is designed to attract and retain more professionals in the education sector.
Notable progress has already been observed:
- A 25% increase in STEM subject teacher training acceptances
- An additional 2,000 secondary school trainees enrolled this year compared to last
- Early indicators of improved retention rates among newly qualified teachers
These outcomes are being attributed to the government’s broader Plan for Change, which includes not only financial incentives but also investments in workload management, wellbeing, and flexible working arrangements.
What Policy Changes Are Being Introduced Alongside the Pay Rise?
In addition to salary increases, the Education Secretary has announced several policy updates aimed at improving working conditions and encouraging a more balanced career structure within schools.
One significant change affects Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR) payments. Starting from September 2025, TLRs awarded to part-time teachers must reflect the actual proportion of responsibility undertaken, rather than being calculated on a pro-rata basis in line with contracted hours.
This ensures fairer compensation for leadership roles held by part-time educators.
Additionally, updated guidance will require schools to actively support flexible working requests where operationally feasible. This is part of a broader initiative to modernise teaching conditions and make the profession more accommodating for diverse career paths.
Can Schools Realistically Afford These Changes?
The government maintains that schools can meet their financial obligations through greater efficiency. In support of this goal, the Department for Education is rolling out a productivity programme offering:
- Cost-saving initiatives in energy procurement (some schools have saved up to 36%)
- Economies in banking and recruitment services
- Investment in digital infrastructure to streamline administrative processes
However, sector leaders remain unconvinced. Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the ASCL, argued that many schools have already undergone extensive cost-cutting over the past decade.
He expressed concern that “there is little fat left to trim,” and warned that further savings may only come at the expense of education quality.
How Does This Compare to Other Public Sector Pay Awards?
The 4% increase for teachers mirrors the offer extended to other public sector workers, including junior doctors, prison officers, and military personnel. However, the percentage increases still vary depending on role and seniority.
Public Sector Pay Awards 2025
| Role | Pay Rise % |
| Teachers | 4.0% |
| Junior Doctors (avg.) | 5.4% |
| NHS Staff (e.g. Nurses) | 3.6% |
| Prison Officers | 4.0% |
| Senior Civil Servants | 3.25% |
| Military Personnel | 4.5% |
Despite these increases, many unions have described the offers as inadequate in the context of historic underpayment and rising living costs.
What About School Support Staff?
Support staff, such as teaching assistants, caretakers, and catering workers, have been offered a 3.2% pay increase, lower than the 4% for teachers. This discrepancy has ignited calls for pay parity, especially from unions like the GMB, which represents many of these staff.
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, described support staff as the “forgotten army,” essential to the day-to-day running of schools but continually overlooked in pay negotiations. The union is demanding urgent reforms to ensure equitable treatment across all school roles.
What Is the Government’s Long-Term Education Vision?
The teacher pay increase forms part of a broader government initiative dubbed the Plan for Change, which aims to improve educational standards, outcomes, and access. Key pillars of the plan include:
- Reforms to the Ofsted inspection system for better accountability
- Establishment of regional improvement teams to uplift underperforming schools
- A new, comprehensive national curriculum tailored to equip pupils for future work and life
- Over £160 million in funding for 16–19 education providers, especially in sectors like construction and manufacturing
The government is also investing in teacher development, offering tax-free financial incentives to attract high-quality candidates into teaching, particularly in shortage subjects such as science, maths, and technology.
Teacher Pay 2025 – Comparative Summary
| Role | 2024 Salary | 2025 Salary | Increase Amount | % Increase |
| Newly Qualified Teacher | £30,000 | £33,000 | £3,000 | 10.0% |
| Average Teacher Salary | £48,000 | £51,000 | £3,000 | 6.3% |
| Headteacher (avg.) | £64,200 | £66,800 | £2,600 | 4.0% |
| Support Staff (avg.) | £24,000 | £24,768 | £768 | 3.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the confirmed teacher pay rise for 2025?
Teachers in England and Wales will receive a 4% pay increase from September 2025, following a recommendation from the STRB.
How much extra funding is being provided to schools?
The government has committed an additional £615 million, but schools must still find approximately £400 million from existing budgets.
Are part-time teachers affected by TLR payment changes?
Yes. From 2025, part-time teachers will be paid based on responsibility undertaken, not their part-time hours.
Why are unions threatening disputes?
Unions argue that the pay rise is not fully funded and could lead to job losses, increased workloads, and diminished educational services.
Will this improve teacher retention?
The government believes it will, supported by increased training applications and early improvements in retention rates.
What support is being offered to help schools manage costs?
The government is offering energy savings initiatives, improved procurement systems, and digital infrastructure upgrades.
What’s next for support staff pay?
Support staff have been offered a 3.2% rise, but unions are demanding parity with teachers, citing widening pay gaps.
