A school leaders’ union is to consult its members on next steps, including the possibility of industrial action, after the Welsh Government confirmed it was rejecting an independent body’s recommendation of a 4.8% pay award for leaders and teachers.

NAHT Cymru has responded strongly to a written statement from cabinet secretary for education Lynne Neagle, confirming that the government planned to press ahead with the 4% uplift it had instead chosen to consult upon for 2025/26.

The union has been campaigning for pay to be incrementally restored to 2010 levels after years of below-inflation pay increases in which salaries lost almost a fifth of their real-term value. It says this has fuelled a growing recruitment and retention crisis in Welsh schools.

Laura Doel, national secretary of NAHT Cymru, said: “To not even consult on the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body recommendation of 4.8% demonstrated that the review body process is flawed and that what an independent body recommends to pay teachers and leaders pales into insignificance when it might cost money.

“To say the school funding crisis is part of the consideration is totally unfair on school leaders and teachers, when the crisis is not of their making.

“We continue to dispute the claim this 4% will be fully-funded, given conversations with government about additional money being calculated on an average basis and local government funding inconsistencies.

“To say we are bitterly disappointed by this announcement is an understatement and we are consulting members on all next steps open to us as a union, including industrial action.”