School leaders overwhelmingly say they would back strike action in row over two key issues

Teaching leaders in Wales have overwhelmingly said they would back strike action in what has been called an "extraordinary" result.

NAHT Cymru says there are two main issues which it describes as having a "profound impact on schools". Those are an ongoing row about teachers' pay and "the continued failure to provide sufficient funding to support the implementation of additional learning needs".

The unions says it asked members about industrial action after "months of attempts" to find a resolution with the Welsh Government.

In July NAHT Cymru and ASCL Cymru jointly declared a collective trade dispute with the Welsh Government. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

NAHT Cymru says it wants to resolve the matters through "constructive negotiation" rather than escalation.

The ballot's turnout was 74%, with an overwhelming majority of participating members (93%) indicating they would be prepared to support industrial action short of strike if meaningful progress is not secured. A further 72.5% were prepared to strike.

Kerina Hanson, president of NAHT Cymru, said: “This is an extraordinary result and one which should command the attention of every political party and every decision-maker in Wales.

"A turnout of 74% in a consultative ballot demonstrates not only the strength of feeling amongst school leaders but also the depth of their frustration.

"Our members have spoken clearly. They are deeply concerned about the future of school leadership, the continuing pressures arising from the underfunding of ALN provision, and the undermining of an independent pay review process."

It comes as the union wrote to MSs saying no deal has been made and they believe what is being discussed doesn't "adequately address the issues".

On Tuesday finance minister Elin Jones wrote to Ken Skates, copying in other party leaders, saying she wants to reintroduce the supplementary budget to the Senedd.

The Plaid Cymru minority government's supplementary budget failed to pass in July after Labour made ALN funding its red line. It said a concession by Plaid Cymru did not go far enough.

In July's discussions Labour wanted £100m this financial year but Plaid would only commit to £40m to ALN for each of the next three years, making a total of £120m. The background to all that is here.

In her letter Ms Jones references a letter from a second education union ASCL where she said there was a suggestion from the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) proposing an initial two-year funding settlement worth £100m.

A letter from NAHT Cymru, sent to Senedd members, reads: "We are aware that recent public statements made by some parties have led certain stakeholders to conclude that a deal has been reached, or that consensus now exists amongst school leader unions regarding the proposals currently under discussion.

"For the avoidance of doubt, this is not the case, and no such deal exists. NAHT Cymru remains in formal trade dispute with Welsh Government and employers."