Teaching unions have not ruled out strike action if regional pay becomes a reality for teachers across the district with one politician also criticising the potential move by the Coalition government.

The NUT and NASUWT, who represent thousands of teachers across the district, said that it would be a disastrous move.

Regional pay means paying different rates to staff around the country, instead of agreeing national pay deals and has been proposed by the Coalition Government as the Treasury argues the public sector pays more than it should for staff in some areas.

Pam Milner, regional spokesman for the NASUWT said that it was not good news for teachers.

“Teachers are already working to their income and they can look for jobs wherever,” she said. “But if they introduce regional pay it could mean a ten per cent reduction in pay for teachers in this region. We are dead against it.

“Hopefully because of the opposition it will not happen. But if it does, any action is a possibility and we would not rule out striking.”

Meanwhile, Councillor Ralph Berry, the executive member for children’s services, said that regional pay would undermine morale and break up the national pay agreement.

“It is unreasonable at a time when we are seeking to get the best quality teachers in Bradford,” he added. “Particularly teachers in maths and English and the message it gives is that we do not value teachers.”

Ian Murch, the assistant branch secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said that he thought it could be disastrous.

“A lot of Bradford schools already have difficulties recruiting staff,” he said. “Throw into the mix the frozen pay while it continues to rise for teachers in the South. It will mean new teachers will not want to come here and it will bad for the local economy as people will have less money to spend. I would not rule out strike action.”