Teachers across Southport and Sefton are facing the prospect of yet another pay cut this year, despite government claims that “austerity is over”.


Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds MP, has effectively rejected the recommendation of the independent pay review that all teachers be awarded a rise, even though the public sector pay cap was supposed to end.



With a decision that means 76% of teachers across the borough face a real terms pay cut, the government will award pay rises expected to be up to one percent below inflation for certain grades.



Inflation is forecast to run at over 2.5% this financial year but leadership and upper teaching scales will receive wage increases of just 1.5 and 2 percent.


Across Southport and Sefton, 1644 teachers now face seeing their wages decrease in real terms once again and over a quarter of a million of them nationally.


The government has also now admitted it will not keep its promise to fully fund even the limited pay rise for all schools, leaving some with a shortfall once they have paid staff salaries. Education Secretary Damien Hinds had previously promised to be a “champion” for head teachers.


Labour’s candidate for Southport Liz Savage, a former primary school teacher, said:


“Theresa May vowed austerity was over and promised to end pay cuts for public servants but it seems this doesn’t apply to Southport's schools and teachers, so why isn't the local MP fighting against this?


"Far from just needing “little extras” as the Chancellor claimed, our schools aren’t even being funded for the very basics and in stark contrast to the government’s pay promises. The vast majority of local teachers meanwhile face not getting anything extra but actually getting less once again."



" As a former teacher myself, I know just how hard they work and how important their role is. Teachers shouldn't be so undervalued by the Tories and the problems our schools face should not be so easily dismissed."


“A Labour government will end Tory cuts; provide record investment in schools and ring-fence funding to give our teachers the pay rise they deserve.”

It is odd that as soon as the Public sector face reality, it is a crisis. While the Private sector. who do not receive the same media attention, are faced with exactly the same criteria without any Union intervention to support them. Compared to much of the work in the Private sector, teaching is not 'hard work', it is in fact quite enjoyable, yet those in Public work are paid far more and have far more protection. Public Service workers should also recognise that none of their efforts contribute to the economy, it is the Private sector who fund them.

As far as the report is concerned - again it is not totally honest. Not all teachers will have a pay cap on their salaries and even then the figures given are dependant on a forecasted inflation rate which can rise or fall. Nothing is for certain.

I rather suspect it is because the Public Sector is heavily Unionised, including the teaching profession, and that Ms Savage is showing her potential paymasters what a good girl she's being.

Every time I see this woman on here a Simple Minds song floods into my head - Don't You --- Forget About Me.

Didn't know that our favourite Skelmersdale councillor is also a failed primary teacher. That probably accounts for her shouty shouty act at the last hustings.

Originally Posted by said

As far as the report is concerned - again it is not totally honest. Not all teachers will have a pay cap on their salaries and even then the figures given are dependant on a forecasted inflation rate which can rise or fall. Nothing is for certain.

You really do just spout nonsense Marvin... the article makes clear that it's based on the forecast inflation rate and that "only" 76% may be affected, so erm, that kinda means not all... still an awful lot of teachers facing the prospect of another cut though.

Originally Posted by Gwhizz

mind at least you have a few buddies here to paddle your murky waters with, like Dav.

It always gives me a little frisson to be scolded by one of Miss Savage's very favourite prefects. Your dedication to the cause of obsequiousness is sure to make you her Head Girl before long. Rah rah rah!

Originally Posted by Gwhizz

You really do just spout nonsense Marvin... the article makes clear that it's based on the forecast inflation rate and that "only" 76% may be affected, so erm, that kinda means not all... still an awful lot of teachers facing the prospect of another cut though.

Personal abuse is intended to cover one's own shortcomings. There are a hell of lot more in the Private sector who will be facing far worse, where is their sympathy call? I take it you are a Public sector person since you do not concern yourself with other people.


Not only are Public service workers paid higher, I believe - they also receive more holidays than the Private sector.

Originally Posted by said

Personal abuse is intended to cover one's own shortcomings. There are a hell of lot more in the Private sector who will be facing far worse, where is their sympathy call? I take it you are a Public sector person since you do not concern yourself with other people.


Not only are Public service workers paid higher, I believe - they also receive more holidays than the Private sector.

So saying you are spouting nonsense and then pointing out where you are wrong is "personal abuse"?! My, Clive and Dav must shake your sensibilities to the core then. Also, the points you then go on to mention are actually nowt at all to do with the points I raised to highlight how you were spouting nonsense?!! You have just tried to shift the emphasis... something you do a lot of.

As to your comments on private/public... again, nonsense as far as I'm concerned - I tend to think of it in more terms of properly valuing the likes of teachers, doctors, nurses, police, firefighters etc.

Originally Posted by dav

It always gives me a little frisson to be scolded...

... now that really doesn't surprise me at all Dav.

Originally Posted by said

It is odd that as soon as the Public sector face reality, it is a crisis. While the Private sector. who do not receive the same media attention, are faced with exactly the same criteria without any Union intervention to support them. Compared to much of the work in the Private sector, teaching is not 'hard work', it is in fact quite enjoyable, yet those in Public work are paid far more and have far more protection. Public Service workers should also recognise that none of their efforts contribute to the economy, it is the Private sector who fund them.

As far as the report is concerned - again it is not totally honest. Not all teachers will have a pay cap on their salaries and even then the figures given are dependant on a forecasted inflation rate which can rise or fall. Nothing is for certain.

Oh dear, the old private V public sector argument, your private sector is constantly screeching that it needs an educated workforce, but you of course regard the educators as disposable, I suppose you also feel that all public sector workers are overpaid and have an easy life, try telling our overworked NHS staff, or the fireman who run to fires while everyone else is running away, the private sector does not fund the public sector, public sector funding comes from the general taxation pot which most of us pay or have paid into.

It's also misleading as many public sector workers get increments regardless of performance until they reach the top of their band. In my short foray into the public sector, my pay went up nearly £5k in four years, despite there being a pay freeze, because I was near the bottom of my grade band.

Is there no end to lies this woman spews on a daily basis,Unelectable savage,She contradicts herself in every sentence typical labour parasite

Public sector whinge, whinge, whinge. You wouldn't last 5 minutes in the private sector having to justify your salaries.