Real terms pay cut for Cumbria's teachers an 'insult' - Farron

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has said the government's decision to give a real terms pay cut to Cumbria's 4782 teachers is an "insult".

The government's pay review body has decided once again to limit increases in teachers' pay to 1% - significantly below the current inflation rate.

The National Union of Teachers says that successive years of below-inflation pay deals has seen teachers' pay fall in real terms by 13%.

Tim said: "Giving teachers another below inflation pay-rise is frankly an insult to these incredibly hard working and dedicated professionals.

"It is clear that Theresa May's government simply does not care about Cumbria's schools or our young people. Instead of valuing and supporting teachers, the government is continuing to cut their pay in real terms and plans to slash £28million from Cumbria's schools. It is no surprise that more and more teachers are leaving the profession they love. Yet the government is ignoring this growing crisis.

"Unless the government changes course, our children will be left in overcrowded, underfunded schools taught by teachers who are overworked and undervalued. The government must invest in our children's education now."