Millions of teachers and doctors WILL get inflation-busting pay rise

The Sun

22-05-2025

MINISTERS have accepted inflation-busting pay rises for millions of public sector workers - but the cash may still trigger strike action.
Millions of public sector workers are give the green light to the pay deals but they are above the 2.8 per cent already budgeted for setting up a collision with unions.
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Teachers and doctors in England will be given a 4 per cent rise and other NHS workers will be given a 3.6 per cent hike.
Most members of the armed forces will be handed a 4.5 per cent increase - with senior members of the military 3.75 per cent.
Number 10 previously said that there would be 'no additional funding' for pay if the Pay Review Bodies go beyond what departments can afford.
Education Secretary Bridget Philipson said schools will be expected to find the first 1 per cent of pay awards through 'improved productivity and smarter spending'.
She said: 'Schools will be expected to find approximately the first 1% of pay awards through improved productivity and smarter spending to make every pound count.
'There will be those who say this cannot be done, but I believe schools have a responsibility, like the rest of the public sector, to ensure that their funding is spent as efficiently as possible.'
Ms Phillipson said: 'Beyond that first 1%, the cost of this pay award will be covered by the additional funding I am announcing today, on top of funding increases already in schools.'
The Unite union has previously called on its members to rebuff any deal on the table to its members having been offered a rise of 3.2 per cent.
Union boss Sharon Graham last month said: 'Yet again, this year's pay offer fails to tackle low pay for local government workers, who have endured years of below-inflation rises on top of the cost-of-living crisis.'
Daniel Kebede, who is boss of the National Education Union, has said that his organisation is 'ready to act industrially' if needed.
The Royal College of Nursing have also said that a 3 per cent rise is unlikely to to help the sector which is in crisis.
Just weeks into coming in to office last July, Ministers signed off bumper pay deals for train drivers and doctors.