A UNION called today for teachers to be given a 10% pay rise, despite the gloomy economy.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said the Government should not use the recession as an “excuse” to offer a lower pay increase.

In a submission to the School Teachers Review Body (STRB), the NUT said pay should be increased by £3,000 or 10%, whichever is greater.

All teaching unions are lobbying for an increase of more than 2.3% this year, the Times Educational Supplement reported.

The STRB, which recommends to Government how much teachers should be paid, suggested a 2.3% rise last year, and is now re-examining that figure.

Christine Blower, the acting general secretary of the NUT, said: “Neither the STRB nor the Government should be tempted to use the economic downturn as an excuse to consider cutting the 2009 teachers’ pay increase below the 2.3% they previously promised.

“The pay increase should in fact be much higher. Successive below-inflation pay awards from 2005 onwards have left teaching unattractive to graduates who can earn more with less stress in other fields.”

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: “We have increased teachers’ pay by an average of 19% in real terms since 1997 to recognise the challenging but rewarding job they do with the average salary for classroom teachers now £31,400 and for all teachers, including heads and deputies, £34,000. The recommended 2.3% pay award represents a good deal for both teachers and the taxpayers.”