Teaching merger off

The possibility of a merger of teaching unions has all but disappeared after being rejected by members of the second largest, the NASUWT.

The card vote against further discussions on merger came amid division among the teaching unions over the government's controversial deal on cutting teachers' workloads. The deal is opposed by the National Union of Teachers but supported by the other unions.

However, delegates agreed to consider forming a federation of TUC teacher union affiliates and sharing the costs of member services.