TWO thirds of teachers say their school relies on donations and fundraising because of money shortages, according to a survey published today.

More than half (53 per cent) of the teachers surveyed by the National Education Union (NEU) said there is not enough money in their school budget to afford the staff they need for basic provision.

The survey is published as NEU members vote in an indicative ballot, which ends on April 17, over whether they would be prepared to strike over teacher pay, school funding and workload.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “When even basic provisions cannot be met without having to shake a collection tin, then it is obvious this government and successive governments have failed parents, teachers, leaders and, above all, young people.

“Pupils in schools whose communities cannot afford to subsidise them are the ones who miss out.”

Last year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said schools were facing “a particularly tight set of pressures” in 2025-26, with growing costs expected to see them need to make savings despite increases in funding.

Meanwhile, the Department for Education has recommended that teachers in England receive a 6.5 per cent pay increase over the next three years — but it has also calculated that schools only have the scope in their budgets to afford a 2.7 per cent pay increase over the next two years and will need to make budget savings to afford the 6.5 per cent pay rise.

Mr Kebede said: “After 15 years of austerity, there is nothing more to cut. The sooner the government recognises that schools cannot make cuts without affecting the quality of education, the better.”

A DfE spokesperson said: “This government inherited a challenging financial position, but is putting record investment into our schools.

“School funding is increasing by £1.7 billion in 2026-27, including funding for SEND reform announced within the Schools White Paper.

“This investment is a critical step forward in our mission to support all children and young people to achieve and thrive and will support teachers and leaders to deliver high and rising standards across every school and for every pupil.”