School teachers across Southport stage picket line pay protests

5th July 2023

Teachers across a number of schools in Southport have swapped the classroom for the picket line today in the latest row over pay.

It is the sixth national strike by members of the National Education Union (NEU) in England since February – and another is planned for Friday.

As well as lessons, end-of-term events such as sports day, concerts and school trips could be disrupted.

While some teachers received a 5% rise for the year 2022-23, striking education workers are calling for above-inflation increases, plus additional money to ensure any pay rises do not come from schools’ existing budgets.

Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, said Education Secretary Gillian Keegan’s “refusal to re-enter negotiations” had “united the teaching profession in its anger towards a government that is failing to recognise the serious challenges that need to be addressed in our education system”.