UK government and education unions to begin intensive talks to resolve strikes

The British government and education trade unions have agreed to begin "intensive talks" that will focus on pay, conditions and workload reduction, a joint statement said on Friday.

The National Education Union said it would hold off calling any fresh strikes for two weeks to create a "period of calm". The statement was issued by the Department for Education Association of School and College Leaders, National Association of Head Teachers, NASUWT and National Education Union.