Dear Gillian, 

Teachers’ Pay 

I am writing to you on behalf of the many Luton South constituents concerned about the government’s proposed teacher pay award for 2022/23. 

In September 2022, I understand that the School Teachers’ Review Body recommended an 8.9% uplift to teachers starting pay outside London, raising pay to £28,000. This will be followed by a subsequent increase in 2023 of 7.1%.  

As I am sure you are well aware, teachers’ pay has fallen in real terms by around one-fifth since 2010 due to pay freezes, pay caps and below inflation pay awards. With CPI inflation running at around 10% in July, teachers in Luton South have explained to me that they are concerned that high inflation will further undermine their annual salary. 

It is a concern shared by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the National Education Union (NEU), and the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), who have noted that the adequacy of a pay award must be considered within the economic environment. 

Please can you advise how your department is supporting teachers during the cost of living crisis? I would also appreciate you outlining the justification for giving teachers a below-inflation pay rise.  

I look forward to hearing from you in due course. 

Kind regards, 

 Rachel Hopkins MP
Member of Parliament for Luton South