Gordon Brown has put the brakes on public sector demands for pay rise, warning that there will be no "blank cheque" for pay claims from NHS staff and other public sector workers.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Peter Smith, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers told ePolitix.com: "Teachers have never asked for something for nothing. They have delivered reform after reform, at great cost to their workload and job satisfactions.

"The government's much flaunted improvements in education standards have been achieved through the efforts of teachers. But the most urgent problem facing schools is the critical shortage of teachers.

"If there aren't enough skilled qualified teachers in our classrooms none of the government's reforms can be carried forward. If teaching salaries are not competitive how are we to attract the best graduates into teaching and keep them there?"

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison told ePolitix.com: "It is ridiculous to imagine that investment in our public services should somehow be separate from investment in the very people who deliver them. It does mean a higher status, better-rewarded workforce.

"And this doesn't just mean talking about doctors and nurses - vital as they are. It also means the armies of staff who bring dignity to the lives of so many - care workers, home helps, school staff, caretakers, dinner ladies, and classroom assistants"

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, PAT general secretary, told ePolitix.com: "If the government is serious about recruiting and retaining more public sector employees, it needs to put its money where its mouth is and increase substantially the pay of teachers and other public servants. It will be judged by its actions not its words.

"Although the recently announced starting salary for teachers now approaches our call for £18,000 for new teachers, and the shortening of the salaryscale will also be welcomed by many younger or newer teachers, the average starting salary for teachers still lags some considerable way behind othergraduate starting salaries. Teachers generally earn far less than graduates in the private sector.

"These factors make teaching financially unattractive for many new graduates - especially when house prices are so high. Many younger teachers will alsobe worse off when the National Insurance increases announced in the Budget take effect, and will need a pay rise to offset this.

"Unless the government faces up to these issues, and reduces teachers' workload, the classroom crisis will only get worse."It is also concerning that the chancellor could be trying to influence the future decisions on teachers' pay of the independent School Teachers' Review Body."