Teachers “on all pay scales” in Wales will receive a 5 per cent rise in September, followed by a 3.5 per cent rise next year - although this will be “subject to a review if there is a significant change in economic conditions”.

Teaching unions, however, have reacted angrily to the news and the timing of the announcement.

The Welsh government announced its plans today following the publication of the fourth report of the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB). It also said it plans to increase the starting salary for teachers in Wales to “at least” £30,000 from September next year.

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Jeremy Miles, minister for education and Welsh language, said the 5 per cent rise this September would result in a starting salary for new teachers of £28,866, with those of more experienced classroom teachers rising to £44,450. He said the government is now inviting written comments from “key stakeholders” over the next eight weeks.

Mr Miles said: ”The IWPRB recommendation that, given the current economic uncertainties and pressures, future awards from September 2023 need to be kept under review is a sensible precaution. I propose that these should therefore be used as a planning assumption, subject to such a review.” 

However, teaching unions and school leaders have reacted with anger to the deal.

NASUWT Cymru said it represented “another real-terms pay cut for teachers” and it hit out at the government for waiting for the summer holidays before making its announcement on teacher pay.

School leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, meanwhile, described the deal as “a slap in the face of dedicated educational professionals”. NAHT Cymru director Laura Doel said the deal’s only saving grace was that the 2023 rise was not set in stone and that unions would get the chance to engage in further negotiations.

She called for councils to “step up and fund the pay awards fully” - adding: “The Welsh government has confirmed there is no more money for local government to support this award.”

Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, said: “Against a backdrop of soaring inflation and a real-terms pay loss of more than 20 per cent over the last 12 years, teachers across Wales are set to be worse off as a result of the proposals the minister has announced today.

“It is scandalous that many experienced teachers and school leaders are already leaving the profession and today’s announcement will do little to stop that.

“Although the Welsh government promised devolution of pay and conditions would mean a better deal for teachers, the reality is that teachers are being asked to make do with less.”

He added: “The timing of today’s announcement during the school holidays will be questioned by teachers. If the Welsh government believes that delaying this announcement until the start of the summer break will dissipate the anger of teachers, they are mistaken.”

The IWPRB made seven recommendations, all of which were accepted in principle by the government.

It also highlighted the need to review the remuneration of Additional Learning Needs Coordinators (ALNCos).