Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Laura Trott, has written to the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, to remind her what is, and isn't, included in her bill!
Laura Trott MP posted to X:
Either Bridget Phillipson didn’t read her own bill or she doesn’t understand it.
I have written to the Education Secretary to inform her that we will amend the bill so teachers across the country don’t get a pay cut.
I hope Labour see sense and support us.
-- Laura Trott, January 17th 2025
HOUSE OF COMMONS
The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP Secretary of State for Education
Department for Education
20 Great Smith Street
London
SWIP 3BT
LONDON SWIA OAA
17 January 2025
Dear Secretary of State,
Earlier this week, at the Education Select Committee, regarding teachers' pay, you said provisions within the Bill were to 'act as a floor, not a ceiling'.
This is incorrect. It is in direct contrast to the wording in the Bill, as I pointed out to you at second reading. As currently drafted, the Bill will cap teachers' pay below current levels for many thousands of teachers in academies.
The Confederation of School Trusts has confirmed this, stating: "as laid, the provisions do not reflect this direction of travel [set out at the select committee] and will need to be amended."
You also stated that academy pay flexibilities will in future apply to all schools, including local authority maintained schools. Again, this is not contained in the Bill.
Today, we have tabled an amendment which would deliver your stated intentions on teachers' pay. Will you support this amendment? If you do not, you are capping pay for thousands of teachers across the country and breaking your commitment to parliament.
Yours sincerely.
RT HON LAURA TROTT MBE MP
SHADOW EDUCATION SECRETARY
MP FOR SEVENOAKS AND SWANLEY
https://twitter.com/LauraTrottMP/status/1880289665007452230
