Commenting on the government's fiscal plan announced this morning, Paul Whiteman general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: “The Government's ‘mini budget’ is incredibly disappointing. It is a squandered opportunity to address the chronic underfunding in education and wider public services. It will seem bemusing to many people in this country who see public services stretched to breaking point. To them, today's announcement will seem very distant from reality.”

On the announcement that the government will legislate new rules for trade unions, Mr Whiteman said: “The proposed legislation to further restrict workers rights is needless and unnecessary. Trade Unions are already subject to stringent laws. Government should be focused on resolving the issues that cause dissatisfaction amongst workers rather than removing their ability to object.”