HC Deb 10 June 1986 vol 99 c159W
43. Mr. Soames

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate for 1986–87 of the average annual pay of a classroom teacher; and how it compares in real terms with the corresponding figure for May 1979.

Mr. Chris Patten

The estimated average salary (excluding allowances) of classroom teachers (taken to exclude all head teachers and deputy head teachers) in maintained nursery, primary and secondary schools in England and Wales at 1 April 1979 was £5,115. The estimated average salary for 1 April 1986 (including the pay increase agreed on 9 May, and excluding allowances) is £10,650. This represents an increase in real terms, measured against the retail price index over the same period, of 15.8 per cent.