The 9% pay increase offered to teachers in Scotland has been rejected by members of trade union EIS.

In a ballot, 57% of members voted to reject the pay offer from Scotland's local authorities and the Scottish Government.

EIS general secretary, Larry Flanagan said: 'EIS members have voted, by a very clear majority, to reject this pay offer. They have also expressed their willingness to move to a ballot for industrial action in pursuit of an improved pay settlement for Scotland's teaching professionals.'

In response, COSLA’s resources spokesperson, Cllr Gail Macgregor said: 'We absolutely value the education of our young people and throughout these negotiations have re-iterated the value we place on our teachers and the work that they do.

'That is why a very fair offer, at the absolute limits of what we could afford, was presented to our teachers and I am disappointed with today’s rejection.'

EIS said that without an improved offer, it would be moving towards strike action.