Teachers' Pay

Local authorities have now sent in their budgetary figures as they are required to do by statute.  The outstanding information was received last week.

This hard evidence of the provision for schools made by local authorities has been examined as promised in my statement of 2 May.  The Assembly Government has concluded that, in the light of identified pressures, a further £18.7 million should be made available to Local Education Authorities for 2002-03 as a special grant .  

This is a very significant injection of funds.  It will now be possible for  those LEAs who have not already made sufficient provision for teachers' pay, including upper pay spine progression arrangements and the costs of the leadership group, to use these additional funds for that purpose.  This will allow schools to be funded so that, as I said in my statement of 2 May, headteachers and governing bodies do not hold back staff from progressing under the new arrangements simply for financial reasons.  LEAs should now ensure that schools are put in funds for this purpose.

Although in my statement of 2 May I said that there would be a two stage process, we have decided in the light of the evidence provided that it is better to reach a position where all the necessary funds are provided immediately.  The evidence shows that this additional £18.7 million should enable schools to meet all the pressures arising this year from the new pay arrangements.  A special grant report will be put before the Assembly for approval by Members before the end of the session.

In addition the WLGA has agreed to establish with the Minister for Local Government and Finance a working party to consider how in future the local government settlement should reflect the arrangements for teachers’ pay.