TEACHERS' PAY

That this House notes that the School Teachers' Pay Review Body is likely to make its 2018 recommendations to the Government in the near future; believes that if that body recommends an increase in pay for teachers that Her Majesty's Government must accept the recommendation in full and ensure that new money is provided to fund such a rise from outside the education budget; further believes that hard-working teachers and other school staff deserve an increase in their pay after years of pay restraint; further notes with concern that school budgets are under immense pressure which is already causing cuts to teaching staff, support staff, special needs provision, buildings maintenance, curriculum options and extra-curricular activities; believes that schools would not be able to fund a pay rise for staff from existing budgets or reserves; and calls on the Government to give a commitment to providing new money to fund any pay rise that is recommended by the School Teachers' Pay Review Body 2018.