Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard will join head teachers from across the north tomorrow to deliver a letter to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak demanding fair pay for local teachers.

The South Down MP will be in London for a briefing from the National Association of Head Teachers in Westminster before accompanying local teachers to hand in their letter to Downing Street. 

Speaking before he travelled to London, the South Down MP said:

“Teachers across the north deserve fair pay and conditions.

“It is disgraceful that teachers have again been forced on to the picket lines at a time when workers, including teachers, are facing a huge squeeze on their finances due to the cost of living crisis.

“Teachers here have consistently seen their wages fall in real terms year after year. Like their colleagues across these islands, they deserve the fair pay rise they are being denied by the Tories.

“Thirteen years of savage Tory cuts have stripped our public services to the bare bone. In the absence of an Executive, the British government should immediately bring forward a fair deal for public sector workers here. 

“Public patience has run out. Workers cannot wait any longer. We need an Executive restored now and all parties working together to support public sector workers and services.”