To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she has been made aware that the proposed increase of three per cent in salaries for further education lecturers falls short of the proposal to increase teachers’ salaries by four per cent, in similar roles, resulting in a greater divergence in salary levels, contrary to stated policy.

Further Education (FE) colleges, as employers, are responsible for terms and conditions, including pay, for their lecturers.

Over the last 2 years lecturers’ pay has increased by around 10.6% overall, comprising a 6.6% increase in 2024/25 and a further 4% increase in 2025/26.

One of the conditions FE colleges, as employers, agreed as part of their 2024/25 and 2025/26 lecturers’ pay settlement with Trade Union Side (TUS) was to undertake a review of teacher pay scale parity in 2025/26, including the presentation of a business case to my Department.

I am advised by the FE Colleges’ Employers Forum (CEF) that the review is currently underway in line with the pay condition and a business case is under development.