Teachers’ pay increases should be won strictly on merit In business, the principle that nothing motivates an employee like the prospect of a decent pay rise is well proven. But the idea that merit must equal money seems to have eluded the teaching profession.

So it is brave of the Government to propose large increases for good teachers, and positively revolutionary to demand that we all get something for our money. Now it must have the grit to ignore the bleating of those who say everyone at the chalkface should get the same.

Teaching must become a proper career in which success is applauded, not a cosy refuge in which mediocrity can flourish.

Leader, Sunday.