A leading Carlisle teacher and councillor has hit out at the Government following a pay freeze for teaching staff.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson confirmed this week staff will not receive a pay rise.

In a written letter Mr Williamson said: “I would like to reiterate that the £250 award should be paid to all eligible teachers, whether located on a published pay point or not, and that the pause on pay will apply to headline pay uplifts only.”

Head of Religious Education at Trinity School and city councillor Jo Ellis Williams, however, outlined that the pay freeze will represent a real blow to teaching staff following their hard work during this unprecedented past twelve months.

She stated: "When your pay is frozen you do feel you are not getting the recognition of all the hard work that you do.

"So many teachers have worked incredibly hard this year under very difficult circumstances.

"It's basically a cut in real terms, when you factor in things like inflation is just so disheartening.

"Teachers have had a lot of extra work on top this year due to the cancelling of exams."

She also asserted her hope that it does not dter young people from becoming teachers or those who have just entered the profession, adding: "I know that the percentage of teachers who leave after their first five years increases every year."

Patrick Roach, the General Secretary of teachers’ union NASUWT, also said:

“Teachers in England will be right to be angry and demoralised."