Teachers urged not to strike

Members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) have been urged not to strike as planned on Thursday.

The decision to take the action followed a majority vote by the NUT over plans by the Government to introduce a 2.45% pay rise this year,

According to the NUT, this is below the real rise in the rate of inflation.

However, John Ransford, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association, told GMTV that teachers will not gain anything from striking, reports The Press Association.

The strike will be 'disruptive' for parents and their children, he said, adding: 'Striking is not going to achieve anything.'

Ed Balls, the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, is also not supporting the NUT strike.

He said: 'I'm on the side of parents who will be disappointed if their children's education is disrupted on Thursday, because we have decided to accept an independent pay review.'

Meanwhile, the Teacher Support Network has revealed that an increasing number of teachers are struggling to cope with their mortgage repayments following rises in the cost of living.