HC Deb 29 October 1990 vol 178 cc369-70W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to allow all schools' boards of governors to negotiate individual salaries with individual teachers up to a maximum of 50 per cent. above the present rates; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

The governors of schools with delegated budgets already exercise control over the award of incentive allowances, and other pay discretions. The interim advisory committee's recommendations for 1990–91, which are being implemented in full by January 1991, will mean greater flexibility to target resources, tackle local recruitment and retention problems, improve career prospects and reward responsibility and good performance. The remit which my right hon. Friend gave to the committee on 14 September asks the committee to consider what further modifications should be made to the system of selective payments in 1991–92.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what would be the cost to the Exchequer of increasing teachers' salaries by 50 per cent. over the next two years.

Mr. Eggar

The cost of such an increase would depend on several factors, including the number of teachers employed and the proportion on each point of the pay scale. But estimated spending by LEAs in England on teachers in 1990–91 is some £8 billion. So as a broad order of magnitude, a 50 per cent. increase might cost some £4 billion. The Exchequer contribution to this through revenue support grant cannot be separately identified.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what evaluation his Department has made of the proposals made by the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers for a pay review body for teachers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

NASUWT's proposals for a pay review body for teachers were not widely supported during my right hon. Friend's consultations earlier this year on new pay machinery for teachers. Most of those consulted favoured the restoration of negotiating rights for teachers. That is what we have now proposed.