Newly qualified teachers hit with £8,000 pay drop

Wednesday 28 September 2016

Teachers who are starting their new careers in Jersey from 2018 will earn £8,000 less after States members today voted to cut their salaries.

The States debated teachers’ pay for several hours on Tuesday afternoon and this morning and then rejected Deputy Geoff Southern’s amendment to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) by 27-17.

The MTFP is the States’ plan to save £113million in three years through cuts to staff costs, job losses and a new health charge.  

It means newly qualified teachers (NQT) in Jersey, who currently start on over £38,000 a year, will now take an £8,000 pay cut.

Chief Minister Ian Gorst said the change was justified due to a comparison with NQT pay in Guernsey. 

He said: “Pay of every NQT in Guernsey, our nearest comparable jurisdiction, is the comparison we have got to use. They start their teachers on £29,000, we start on £38,000. That is the anomaly that this MTFP allows the department to address. I know it is difficult. I am not doubting that for a minute but it is the right thing for the department. 

“The amendment says there is not an anomaly and should not be dealt with. There clearly is. 

“I know there are difficult decisions in parts of this MTFP, but some of these decisions are needed.

“I ask members top put off Deputy Southern’s amendment and grasp the nettle to allow the department to deliver a more efficient service for our community. They want to drive up standards for everyone and they need flexibility to do that.

“I have nothing other than praise for teachers who are currently teaching in our system, but I am pleased we have a Minister who is concerned about standards. Every parent is concerned that their children reach the very best in education that they can achieve. We all want our children to reach their full potential.”  

Deputy Montford Tadier called the cuts “scathing,” while Sir Philip Bailhache argued that NQTs in Jersey would start on over £16,000 more than their counterparts in England and Wales, outside inner London.