Teaching unions in Northern Ireland have agreed to a 4% pay rise for the 2025–26 financial year, bringing an end to negotiations over teachers’ salaries. The increase will be backdated to 1 September 2025 and will see most teachers earn between £1,000 and £2,000 more a year before tax.
The Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council (NITC), which represents the five main teaching unions, described the agreement as “the best achievable outcome on pay for this year” given the current financial pressures facing the education system.
The 4% award matches the increase given to teachers in England. However, it is expected to add to significant budget pressures within the Department of Education. The pay deal will cost around £38m in 2025–26, rising to approximately £65m annually in future years, contributing to a projected departmental overspend of more than £200m.
Education Minister Paul Givan said the pay award reflected the value he placed on teachers, despite severe financial challenges across the public sector. He also pledged to respond in the coming weeks to an independent review into teacher workload, an issue that has been a long-running concern within the profession.
NITC chair Justin McCamphill said the deal fairly recognised teachers’ dedication during a period of financial strain, while secretary Mark McTaggart welcomed the certainty the agreement brought. He emphasised that attention must now shift to addressing excessive workloads.
Under the new deal, a newly qualified teacher earning £31,650 will see their salary rise to £32,916, while teachers at the top of the scale will earn £50,876, up from £48,919.
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