Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the level of teacher salaries on staff retention in (a) Cambridge and (b) other areas with high living costs.

High quality teaching is the within school factor that makes the biggest difference to children’s outcomes which is why this government is determined tackle staff recruitment and retention challenges, making work pay and support teachers to stay in the profession.

Fair pay is key to ensuring teaching is an attractive and respected profession, which is why this government accepted the School Teachers’ Review Body’s (STRB) recommendation of a 5.5% pay award for the 2024/25 academic year. This pay award was equivalent to an increase of over £2,500 for the average teacher, taking median pay to over £49,000 for 2024/25.

This also means that teachers and leaders in maintained schools have seen a combined increase of over 17%, over the last three pay awards.

The starting salary for qualified teachers is now at least £31,650 outside London, including in Cambridge. Experienced teachers can earn up to £49,084 at the top of the pay scale outside London, including in Cambridge, and earn more if they take on additional responsibilities.

The teacher pay system is set up to reward teachers as they progress through their career, encouraging retention through an annual review that can lead to increased pay. Around 40% of classroom teachers also progress each year to the next pay point, meaning even greater increases in their salary.

Teachers’ pay is reviewed, on an annual basis, by the independent STRB, which considers what is an appropriate award in the context of the wider economy and public sector finances, and the cost-of-living pressures facing households.

Final decisions on the teacher’s pay award for 2025/26 will be made following recommendations from the independent pay review body process.