PRC (Policy, Research and Campaigns) Committee
· Discussion on motion to TUC Congress and agreed topic of fighting the far right with a specific education focus, including broad, inclusive curriculum and critical thinking
· Discussion on AI and the union’s work on it, including highlighting the dangers of it leading to big tech companies controlling the curriculum and algorithms determining whose version of culture and history will count as educational knowledge.
· Discussion around falling rolls and the possible solutions to falling rolls such as smaller class sizes
General Secretary’s report
· Daniel reported that all regional ballot briefings had now happened and that staff would be working with ten large branches who represent 21% of the membership to increase rep density in the run in to the ballot
· He said once the STRB is published there will be a special executive and a snap poll
· He reported the results of the most recent Delta Poll which surveys 4,000 NEU members who are “ordinary” members who don’t hold positions. The survey reported that:
– 78% are satisfied with the union
– 85% would recommend the NEU to colleagues
– 59% think a pay rise above 4% would be fair
– 93% would vote in a formal ballot
– 88% would vote to strike
– 46% are considering leaving the profession
National Executive Committee – Urgency reports
International
· The delegation to Cuba scheduled for October will not now take place this year. The funding that had been allocated to that will be used for material aid in Cuba and to facilitate Cuban speakers in the UK
· Agreed to increase the annual core funding to Justice for Columbia from £50,000 to £60,000
Treasurer’s Report
· Actual surplus is currently £3.7m against a budgeted surplus of £6m. Member ship income is £61m which is £10,000 more than budgeted
Membership Report
· 1206 new support staff members in May 2026 compared to 1074 in May 2025
· 1554 new teacher members in May 2026
General Purposes
· Staff union pay claim set at 3.3% increase for all salaries and allowances except London weighting which will be frozen
· Mileage rate to increase in lien with HMRC to 55p per mile
· 2026-27 subsistence to increase by 6% in line with subscription increase so new rates are £10 for breakfast, £14.10 for dinner and £39.55 for tea
· Agreed following donations:
– £1,000 to Million Women Rise
– £30,000 to Love Music Hate Racism
– Remaining £70,000 released from the political fund for Together Alliance
Policy, Research and Campaigns
· Agreed topic of the TUC motion
Bargaining and Negotiations
· Agreed topic of motion to TUC Congress to call on the Government to reinstate collective bargaining for maintained schools and a route for academized schools to return to LA control
Union Strength
· The Women’s Conference will be open to all women as defined by the union’s policy of self-identification and women are encouraged to share case studies of women who have “won in the workplace”
· Agreed a delegation of members to attend Belfast Pride in solidarity with LGBT+ members there
Action Committee
· Since 1st January there have been 273 indicative ballots and 253 formal ballots, however, there has been an increase in the number of formal ballots not reaching threshold and this will be looked at.
To contact me:
Email: deborah.gwynn@neu.org.uk
Phone: 07552198769