Teachers will continue to leave the profession if the Government does not improve their pay and conditions, according to Suffolk NUT's secretary.

A letter from the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Greg Hands, to pay review bodies revealed not all public sector employees would definitely get a 1% salary increase despite previous assurances.

Graham White, secretary of Suffolk's National Union of Teachers, claimed the decision showed a 'complete lack of care' for education and pupils.

'If we want to attract teachers to Suffolk we need to make sure that both their pay and working conditions are good and that they are then given every opportunity to progress their careers and their pay,' he said.

'We are already facing a time when over 40% of new teachers leave within the first three years. Denying them a 1% cost of living increase will do nothing to improve this.'

Unison claimed the 1% pay rise for public sector workers was 'all smoke and mirrors'.

In the letter Mr Hands said: 'The Government expects pay awards to be applied in a targeted manner to support the delivery of public services, and to address recruitment and retention pressures.

'This may mean that some workers could receive more than 1% while others could receive less; there should not be an expectation that every worker will receive a 1% award.'