Dr Patrick Roach, General Secretary of NASUWT – The Teachers’ Union, says:

“Whilst the Welsh Government is trying their best to protect key public services, including schools, their efforts are being significantly hampered by the Westminster Government’s continued real term cuts to funding for Wales, which are a direct consequence of political choices made in London.

“A 0.9% increase in funding for Education and Welsh Language is wholly insufficient in the face of rising levels of need and increased real terms cost pressures. As a bare minimum, funding should increase with inflation – this is far below that standard, and nowhere near the level of funding needed to build a world-class education system.

“Children get one chance at a decent education, and politicians in Cardiff and Westminster must put investment in education at the top of their list of priorities.

“Children in Wales should not be paying the price for the economic mismanagement by the Government in Westminster.”

Neil Butler, National Official for Wales, said:

“The reality is the Welsh Government are been asked to do more with less, and when unable to do so, to make risky cuts to essential public services.

“It is distressing to see that teacher pay rises are not fully funded. It is also dismaying to see £11 million cut from the social care workforce grant – a move that will no doubt pile more pressure on teachers and schools, who are already struggling to support disadvantaged pupils due to a severe lack of external support services.

“The consequences of Westminster’s decisions over the last 14 years may just result in catastrophe for children and young people in Wales. “