London teachers to strike over living allowances

London
teachers have voted to strike over London cost-of-living allowances.

The
move will affect hundreds of schools when around 40,000 members of the National
Union of Teachers strike on 14 March.

The
union says London allowances should be raised by a third – and are unhappy with
the 3.5 per cent offer the Government has made.

The
strike decision comes just after Education Secretary Estelle Morris warned
teacher unions not to halt plans to increase standards in schools.

By Quentin Reade