Teachers’ pay could be devolved in Wales

Control over teachers' pay and conditions could be devolved in Wales, Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns has announced.

The measures will reportedly be included as part of planed changes to the Wales Bill put forward by First Minister Carwyn Jones.

The Bill, which is currently being debated in the House of Lords, contains a several significant changes to the way power is shared between Wales and Westminster.

Cairns said: "Education is a devolved matter, and it makes sense for the assembly and Welsh ministers to decide the pay and conditions of teachers' in Wales.”

However, both the NASUWT union and NUT Cymru have voiced concerns that the changes could lead to teachers in Wales being paid less than their contemporaries across the border.

Owen Hathway, policy officer for NUT Cymru, said that his members were opposed to the move and also cautioned that if terms and conditions were depressed in Wales it could lead to a ‘brain drain’ as teachers seek positions in England.