Talks over teachers’ pay in Scotland have “shuddered to a halt”, according to the country’s biggest teaching union.

The development comes after months of union warnings that teachers would strike if a satisfactory deal was not reached.

In a statement released on behalf of teacher negotiators just before noon today, the EIS said talks had broken down “after the Scottish government and [local authorities body] Cosla today refused to consider improvements to their previous offer”.

It added that the teachers’ panel of Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) - which also comprises the Scottish government and local authorities - had “unanimously” rejected an offer it described as “derisory”. The union also said it was “divisive”, because “it offered unpromoted teachers a slightly better deal than promoted members of the profession”.

The EIS has been leading a campaign for a 10 per cent pay rise for all teachers. In September, it made clear its opposition to an offer of 3 per cent rise for all teachers and associated professionals, a deal which could have amounted to rises of 5-11 per cent for some teachers once changes to the salary scale were factored in. 

The teachers’ side of the SNCT says it will now consider the outcome of today’s talks, and that member ballots are likely.

A spokesman said: “We are extremely disappointed that both the Scottish government and Cosla have rejected the proposals put to them by the teachers’ side, which would have kept negotiations going, and have opted instead to end discussions.

“In a week when the Scottish government found the money to pay upfront a 6.5 per cent pay offer to Scottish police officers, it now claims to be unable to find any additional money for teachers.”

EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: “It is shameful that Scottish Ministers have walked away from the negotiating table in this manner. The EIS and other unions had offered constructive proposals for government and Cosla to consider but, in rejecting them out of hand, ministers have effectively dismissed the concerns of Scottish teachers.

“In a week when a letter from a primary teacher has revealed the low state of morale amongst Scottish teachers, the [education secretary and deputy first minister John Swinney] has shown that he isn’t listening. Teachers will be disappointed and angry.”

Mr Flanagan added: “The prospect of industrial unrest in Scotland’s schools has moved a significant step closer as a result of the government’s abandonment of talks.”

Education secretary and deputy first minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish government has worked with Cosla to put in place the best pay deal possible for 2018-19. This includes the Scottish government contributing an additional £35 million for teachers’ pay. This will result in all teachers on the main grade scale receiving at least a 5 per cent increase, with some teachers receiving up to 11 per cent in one year, in conjunction with annual progression.

“The offer matches or betters other offers in the public sector in Scotland, for example, 6.5 per cent for police officers over 31 months. We firmly believe that it is generous and fair and would encourage teachers to consider it favourably.”

He added: “The Scottish government remains very happy to continue discussions with trade unions in securing a negotiated outcome.”

Cosla resources spokeswoman Gail Macgregor said: “At a time when the resources available to councils continue to reduce, we have dug deep to put an offer of 3 per cent on the table for the entire local government workforce at a cost of £350 million.

“This offer matches or betters other offers in the public sector in Scotland, so to say I’m disappointed that it has been rejected is an understatement.

“The teachers’ unions’ claim for 10 per cent in a single year cannot be achieved and is entirely unaffordable, and they have been told this since the offer was submitted at the start of the year.”

Ms Macgregor said that balloting for a mandate for industrial action will “do no one any good as there is nothing further we can add to the current offer” and would “only disrupt the education of our children and young people”.

She added: “I have a message for our excellent teaching workforce and it is this. We have put together the best deal we can afford, and it is on the table now. It matches what we have offered those colleagues of yours who administer the school office, who cook the meals, who keep the school clean and who keep the school buildings and environment safe and secure. We see all of you as equally valuable and equally essential to the good order and running of the school and the education of our children and young people. I would urge you to accept the deal on offer.”