Irwin Mitchell | IM Educate Briefing | February 2023: News in brief

New guidance on approval for FE senior pay

Following the reclassification of FE and sixth form colleges into the public sector, colleges are now subject to senior pay controls. The government has published guidance which explains the process for colleges to get approval from government for senior pay of £150,000 and over and to pay out bonuses of more than £17,500.

New guidance on handling strike action in schools

The government has updated its guidance on keeping schools open on strike days. It expects headteachers to ‘take all reasonable steps to keep the school open for as many pupils as possible’. Schools are being asked to prioritise attendance for certain groups, including vulnerable children, young people and children of critical workers. The guidance also says that schools should consider prioritising pupils due to take public examinations and other formal assessments.

There’s no similar guidance for the FE sector.

Only one-in-ten schools have signed up to the DfE’s wellbeing charter

Just one-in-10 schools have signed up to a government charter setting out 11 commitments they should make to protect the mental health and wellbeing of staff. These included driving down unnecessary workload, creating a good behaviour culture and giving staff a voice in decision-making

The charter applies to all education staff in England and was co-created by a number of parties including the Association of Colleges.

UK pay growth hits 20-year high

Official figures show that pay has grown at the fastest rate in more than 20 years, but is still failing to keep up with inflation. Between September and November 2022, average wages rose by 6.4%, but during the same period prices rose by 10.7%.

Within that figure, there’s a growing divide. Private sector pay was up 7.2% whilst public sector pay was less than half of this at 3.3%. Public sector pay has lagged behind private sector pay for over 10 years and this is one of the reasons why we’re seeing such high rates of industrial action in that sector.

Record number of working days lost to strike action

In November 2022, 467,000 working days were lost due to strike action.

Record numbers of people who are not seeking or available to work

Official figures show that a staggering 574,796 people have become ‘economically inactive’ between December 2019 and November 2022. This means that they’re not seeking or available for work. Early retirement was the biggest driver in the 50-64 age group. Long-term illness was a significant factor across all age groups.

Older people expected to return to work to cope with cost of living

There are early signs that over-60s are starting to return to the workplace as the increase in the cost of living eats into the pensions/savings according to Personnel Today.

In December 2022, the Office for National Statistics highlighted increasing economic activity from 50 to 64 year olds, having already noted that older adults who had left paid work during the pandemic were considering returning to employment given the opportunity to work at home.

Senior judge backs call for employers to support staff whose relationships are ending

The Positive Parenting Alliance is spearheading a campaign to persuade employers to see separation as a ‘life event’ and support staff going through it. It recommends that employers incorporate separation in its policies, signpost where staff can obtain support and let staff work flexibly so they can manage childcare while their circumstances are changing. Asda, Metrobank, NatWest, PwC, Tesco, Unilever and Vodafone have signed up to the scheme.

Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division supports the scheme. He said: ‘The immediate emotional impact of relationship breakdown is all-consuming. It hits a parent at work just as at any other time. The Positive Parenting Alliance calls for employers to recognise this impact, and to do what they can to support their employee. [It] offers a “win/win” outcome - good for employers and employees alike. Wise and insightful employers will, I hope, not need to think twice before responding positively to this call.’

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February 2023: News in brief

New guidance on approval for FE senior pay

New guidance on handling strike action in schools

Only one-in-ten schools have signed up to the DfE’s wellbeing charter

UK pay growth hits 20-year high

Record number of working days lost to strike action

Record numbers of people who are not seeking or available to work

Older people expected to return to work to cope with cost of living

Senior judge backs call for employers to support staff whose relationships are ending

Read more – February 2023

For general enquiries

About Irwin Mitchell

Contact Us

Get a call back

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February 2023: News in brief

New guidance on approval for FE senior pay

New guidance on handling strike action in schools

Only one-in-ten schools have signed up to the DfE’s wellbeing charter

UK pay growth hits 20-year high

Record number of working days lost to strike action

Record numbers of people who are not seeking or available to work

Older people expected to return to work to cope with cost of living

Senior judge backs call for employers to support staff whose relationships are ending

Read more – February 2023

For general enquiries

About Irwin Mitchell

Contact Us

Get a call back