HC Deb 11 July 1985 vol 82 c483W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish figures to show the percentage increase in teachers' salaries in cash and real terms (a) from the implementation of the Houghton award to April 1979, (b) from the implementation of the Houghton award to April 1984, (c) from April 1979 to April 1984 and (d) from April 1979 to April 1985,

Per cent.
Cash terms Real terms
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Settlements Average salaries Settlements Average salaries
(a) from Houghton to April 1979 65 79 -18 -11
(b) from Houghton to April 1984 181 221 -15 -3
(c) from April 1979 to April 1984 70 79 4 9
(d) from April 1979 to April 1985 78 89 2 8

Notes:

1. Columns (1) and (3) give the cumulative increase in pay levels as measured by annual settlements, compounded year on year. Column (1) is in cash terms. Column (3) is adjusted to reflect changes in the RPI during the periods in questions.

2. Columns (2) and (4) give average salary increases calculated from the annual count of teachers by scales and incremental points. The figures exclude heads and deputy heads. Column (2) is in cash terms. Column (4) is adjusted to reflect RPI changes.

3. The average salary figures reflect actual changes in salary levels arising from annual pay settlements, incremental drift caused by an ageing teacher force during a time of low recruitment-falling rolls, increasing proportions of senior posts because of higher staying on rates and so on. It is not possible to separate out the effect of incremental increases for the individual teacher.

4. The base for calculating the increases incorporates the results of the Houghton report and the April 1979 pay settlement. For (a) and (b) the base incorporates the effects of a negotiated settlement of 8 per cent. from 1 April 1974 plus an additional 27 per cent. recommended by the Houghton committee taking effect from 24 May plus the further 2 per cent. which the committee's settlement was estimated to be worth.

5. In extrapolating the figures to 1985 (Section (d)), 5 per cent. has been taken as the settlement increase, and in addition the average salary figures assume 0.6 per cent. for salary drift.