A SCOTTISH government minister has refused to say if more cash could be found for teachers in a bid to prevent further strikes.

Talks were held today between unions and the government, as further and higher education minister Jamie Hepburn insisted the pay rise offered to teachers was “very fair."

The deal on the table would see most classroom staff receive a 5 per cent pay rise, although the lowest-earning teachers would get 6.85 per cent.

And Mr Hepburn said combined with other pay rises it would mean salaries for “most teachers” have increased by 21.8 per cent since since 2018.

Teachers, however, have rejected the offer, with unions pressing for a 10 per cent rise.

Members of the EIS, NASUWT and SSTA trade unions are all due to strike again next week, affecting primary schools on January 10 and then secondary schools on January 11.

Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Hepburn stressed rising inflation meant the Scottish government budget was now worth less than when it was set.

But Scotland’s Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has insisted there is “potential scope for compromise” in the dispute.

She described Friday’s talks with the unions as “constructive and helpful” and urged them to “reconsider their plans for industrial action while talks are ongoing.”

More talks are now due to take place on Monday, when the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT), which brings together unions along with local authorities and the Scottish government, will meet.

However, a spokesperson for EIS said: “The only offer on the table remains that already unanimously rejected by the teachers’ side of the SNCT in November last year.

“As such, all scheduled strike action by teachers on Tuesday and Wednesday next week will proceed as planned.”