TEACHERS protested outside the Senedd today to demand that ministers keep pay talk promises for extra money for education going to schools.

Teaching unions led by NAHT Cymru lobbied the Welsh Parliament after reports that extra money for education from Whitehall might be spent elsewhere in budget negotiations.

Additional funding for the Welsh government follows the Barnett formula’s consequential funding where increased education spending in England means extra money for Wales.

NAHT Cymru’s Laura Doel told the Star that her union has been tipped off that budget negotiations by Welsh ministers mean the money might not be ring-fenced as promised.

She said: “NAHT was promised during our pay talks last year that additional money coming to Wales would be put into schools.

“We understand government officials are discussing where that money goes and this would be nothing short of a betrayal of Welsh schools and pupils.

“It’s unthinkable that funds meant for our children’s futures could be used to plug other gaps in the budget.”

Speaking on the steps of the Senedd, Ms Doel demanded that ministers come out and talk to teachers.

National Education Union Cymru’s Nicola Fitzpatrick said: “We are at a crisis point in education with many schools and colleges in Wales underfunded.”

A Welsh government spokesperson said: “We recognise schools and local authorities are under significant pressure, decisions on the level of funding available to schools and other services are made by each local authority.

“We welcome the UK’s recent Budget which will provide us with extra revenue and capital funding.

“We continue to face significant financial challenges as we develop our draft Budget 2025-26, which will be published in December.”