Fact Service January 2019

Issue 4

NEU members back union's cuts campaign


Members of the National Education Union (NEU) have given a ringing endorsement to the union’s Schools Cuts campaign.


There was not one voice of dissent, with 100% of 82,487 NEU respondents wanting the cuts campaign to continue.


Other findings of the survey were:


• 84% of sixth form college members and 82% of state school members said they would be prepared to take strike action to secure better funding for schools and the full implementation of the teachers’ pay award; and


• 99% of NEU members in state schools and sixth form colleges believe government funding cuts are having a negative impact in their schools.


Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary of the NEU, said: “The government’s policy on school funding and teacher pay is having a dreadful impact on the profession and the children they teach. They are presiding over a reduction in the number of teachers, alongside a growth in the number of students. Their policies are creating a crisis in both teacher recruitment and retention.” 


The NEU executive will be meeting to discuss these findings and will be considering the next steps in the campaign.


Another finding from the survey that gives food for thought was 97% believe the government should fully fund and implement its own review body’s pay recommendations.


https://neu.org.uk/latest/consultation-members-school-funding