TEACHING unions in Wales have criticised the Welsh government’s 4 per cent wage increase that falls short of that recommended by an independent pay review body.

The Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) had recommended a 4.8 per cent rise, citing the importance of recruitment and retention in the profession.

But Wales Education Secretary Lynne Neagle argued that last year’s deal was ”significantly above” what was recommended and so teachers would be receiving about 9.7 per cent over the two years.

Teaching unions NASUWT, NEU and NAHT have said they will be consulting members on the Welsh government’s offer.

Neil Butler, NASUWT’s national official for Wales, said: “It is unprecedented for the government to offer a pay award below the recommendation of the IWPRB.

“We also face an unprecedented recruitment and retention crisis for teachers in Wales, with recruitment declining since 2014 and dropping sharply in the last two years.

“Nothing less than full pay restoration, action to reduce teachers’ workloads, and a robust response on poor learner behaviour can hope to reverse this emergency in teacher recruitment.”

National Education Union (NEU) Cymru’s interim Wales secretary Nicola Fitzpatrick said: ”The offer is 0.8 per cent less that the review body recommendation and it will be for our members to decide if that is acceptable to them.

”Whatever decision they make, NEU Cymru are clear this is still not the pay correction necessary if we are to redress historic cuts and genuinely ensure we recruit and retain the highly qualified staff we need.”

National Secretary of NAHT Cymru Laura Doel said the IWPRB was ”well aware” of the uplift last year and accused the Welsh government of giving ”a false impression” by grouping together the pay over two years.