The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP

Secretary of State for Education

Ministerial and Public Communications Division

Department for Education

Castle View House

East Lane

Runcorn WA7 2GJ

Ref: ML.C0057.AW.02.12.13

Date: 2^nd December 2013

Dear Michael,

I am writing to you to urge you to begin talks with the NUT and the NASUWT as speedily as possible in order to resolve the ongoing disputes about teachers’ pay, pensions, conditions of service and jobs. I am concerned that at present no real progress is being made on these issues, leading to uncertainty and disruption for teachers and children. I am also concerned that education policy is being decided on an ideological basis, without sufficient evidence base or opportunity for teachers’ input to be considered.

NUT and NASUWT, which together represent 90% of teachers, have shown their commitment to engaging in meaningful dialogue by postponing further strike action until next term, providing a window of opportunity for discussion. However, I am concerned that your Department is failing to make the most of this opportunity, and is instead resorting to delaying tactics rather than engaging properly with the unions and the teachers they represent.

I am unable to understand why you feel that it is necessary for five other organisations to be present at the talks with NUT and NASUWT, when these other organisations have no involvement in the current disputes. I am also extremely worried by reports that you intend to start the talks with these five unrelated organisations but without NUT and NASUWT. I can see no logic at all behind the decision to begin talks without the organisations actually involved in the dispute, unless it is an attempt to provoke or marginalise the two main teachers’ unions. This would do nothing at all to resolve the very serious issues behind the dispute, and would show a very worrying lack of care for the wellbeing of school children and teachers in this country.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my support for teachers in the UK. I believe that the vast majority are hard-working, dedicated professionals who care deeply about providing a good education for the children in their care. However, teachers are growing tired of the Government’s constant criticism of them, their qualifications and their work, and of the assault on their pay and working conditions. I urge you to begin working with teachers to provide them with the right support to maintain an excellent standard of education, rather than treating teachers as if they were the enemy of education.

I would be grateful if you could let me know when you expect to resume talks with NUT and NASUWT. I look forward to receiving your response.

Yours sincerely,