UCAC has opposed strongly any plans by the Westminster Government to introduce regional or local pay for public sector workers. It would be disastrous for the education system if teachers in Wales found their pay reduced and they received less remuneration than teachers in the majority of the English regions; or, under a local pay system, teachers working in different areas in Wales could be paid on different pay scales. Undoubtedly under such a system public sector workers, including teachers, in Wales, would be amongst the worst affected. There would be devastating consequences for the economy of Wales.

According to Elaine Edwards, UCAC’s General Secretary, “Regional or local pay would not have any advantages for the profession or for the education system in Wales. It would lead to recruitment and retention issues and would mean that it would be more difficult to attract teachers to schools in less affluent areas. Decisions about teachers’ pay and conditions are not devolved but remain in the hands of the Westminster Government – and this is a dangerous situation under the current Government. UCAC is calling on the Welsh Government to do all it can to protect teachers and other public sector workers in Wales from this serious threat. This is the only way to ensure fairness, to safeguard the private sector as well as the public sector and to protect the Welsh economy.”