The Live Wire



Press Release

Education cuts never heal

29 June 2010

Pay under attack

After the 22 June budget thousands of teachers and other public sector workers face a pay freeze for two years from 2011. Pay limits and pay freezes in the public sector will simply reduce spending power in the economy. This will delay economic recovery and risk tipping us into a double-dip recession. In teaching, as in other professions, a pay freeze will also act as a disincentive for those considering entering the profession.

Pensions under attack

The government's attack on your pension has begun. The government says that your pension is 'unfair' and 'unsustainable'. Now an 'independent' Commission is to look for cuts. This ignores the fact that the Teachers' Pension Scheme has already been reformed to make it sustainable in the long-term. Politicians' and the media's discussion of public sector pensions persistently implies that public sector workers receive a fortune. In reality, teachers' pensions average less than £10,000 a year. Local government pensions average far less – below £4,000. The NUT will do all it can to protect the pensions of teachers and other public sector workers.

Funding under attack

The chancellor has said that education spending could be cut by as much as 25 per cent over the next four years. To fail to protect the education budget from funding cuts is wholly unacceptable. Funding to local authorities for non-school spending – including youth and community services and other vital initiatives that support schools and students – is already being slashed this year. Cutting funding for schools and other related purposes will irretrievably harm children and young people, particularly the poorest ones.

Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "This budget shows the government's lack of care for public services and the dedicated staff who deliver them. It is unacceptable that vital public services should pay for the criminal recklessness of bankers. The NUT will do all it can to defend education and the public sector."



Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to Central Lobby. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the Central Lobby service.

As such, Central Lobby does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.

National Union of Teachers

National Union of Teachers

More from Dods

© Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd