Alliance Education spokesperson Chris Lyttle MLA has welcomed news teachers have backed a pay deal to bring an end to a dispute over salary and workload.

Members of all teaching unions voted in favour of the deal from the Department of Education, which will see a backdated pay rise from September 2017. Negotiations on teachers’ pay for 2019-20 and 2020-21 will also now begin.

“I welcome this long overdue delivery of fair pay and conditions for the dedicated teaching staff across Northern Ireland,” said Mr Lyttle, Chair of the Assembly Education Committee.

“This was a priority issue identified in the New Decade New Approach agreement, and also recognises the current leadership teachers are demonstrating by continuing to provide education for a number of children throughout the coronavirus pandemic, for which we thank them.

“I hope it provides a framework towards the resourced and reformed education system we need to help every child develop their individual personality, talent and ability to the fullest.”