Teachers could go on strike from October as the Tories prepare to reject a pay rise request

The National Education Union called for an increase based on Wednesday’s inflation numbers – which could top 10% – and said the education secretary has until October to negotiate. But Boris Johnson is already suggesting he won’t

Hundreds of thousands of teachers could be elected to strike in October as a “last resort” as Boris Johnson threatens millions of public sector workers with a real pay cut.

The National Education Union warned tonight that any pay rise for teachers must be based on inflation as of 7am Wednesday – which could top 10%.

But as the teachers’ pay review board is to report immediately, Boris Johnson has already indicated today that he will not do so.

NEW Secretary General Dr. Mary Bousted warned she would consider strikes by her 450,000 members as a “last resort”.

She told TalkTV’s The News Desk: “I agree [Education Secretary] Nadhim Zahawi comes to a table – we now have until October – and negotiates.

“And let’s come to a reasonable solution. Of course we don’t want that [strike]it is a last resort.”

Fears of a “summer of discontent” are mounting after Boris Johnson hinted today that public sector workers should not expect inflation-matched pay rises.

CPI inflation rose 9% in April and could top 10% in May’s numbers, to be released at 7am Wednesday.

dr Bousted confirmed, “We will demand a pay rise to match inflation.” Nurses and other unions will demand similar hikes.

But Downing Street today warned wage increases in line with inflation are “not feasible”.

Boris Johnson told his cabinet “the public would expect the government to stay within its means at a time of global pressure on the cost of living”.

And the Prime Minister’s spokesman confirmed he agreed with Treasury Secretary Simon Clarke who said it was not “sustainable” to raise public sector salaries by 9% or 10%.

The government argues such increases will fuel a wage-price spiral, with a senior Tory arguing that this is like a dog chasing its tail.

Another teachers’ union, NASUWT, has called for a 12% pay rise and also said it could vote for industrial action.

and dr Bousted of the NEW said tonight: “I think the anger among teachers is hotter than ever now.”

She continued: “They are very angry and very, very worried about their pay.

“I was just looking at a survey we’ve done with our members and we have members who say they can’t afford to fill up their tanks to drive to school.

“We have members who work 60 hours a week and take part-time jobs.”

Demanding a decent pay rise, she said: “If the Foreign Secretary refuses, we will question our members to see if they are prepared to go on strike, which is always the last resort.”

Today’s Opinium poll of 1,091 British adults for TalkTV found 41% support the rail strikes and 42% oppose them.

This compares to 46% who would support teachers and 48% who would support nurses and doctors who are on strike over pay this summer.