New teachers in Northern Ireland worst paid in UK and Republic, claims unions

Gerry Murphy, of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation (INTO), said new teachers in the region are paid 6.6% less than their equivalents in England and Wales, 23% less than equivalents in Scotland and 47% less than their colleagues in the Republic of Ireland.

The figures were heard during a sitting of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster.

The committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into education funding in Northern Ireland.

Committee chair Andrew Murrison put it to Mr Murphy that the Education Authority says it has no difficulty recruiting new teachers and has an oversupply of teachers.