Teachers across Cumbria are still set to go on strike next week unless 'substantive' talks are held between union leaders and the Government.

The secretary of state of Education, Gillian Keegan has written to the National Education Union (NEU) to call for “formal talks on pay, conditions and reform” on the proviso that the upcoming strikes are called off.

The union have so far refused to call off any strikes and have said that there is ‘nothing substantial’ in the letter to warrant cancelling the planned industrial action.

However, the NEU have said that the upcoming strikes on February 28 could be called off if ‘substantive’ talks are made.

Dr Mary Bousted and Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretaries of the National Education Union, said: "We welcome the commitment to substantive and formal talks to resolve the dispute - which is fundamentally about pay and funding this year.

“In a sign of goodwill, if substantive progress can be made, we are prepared to recommend a pause to strikes next week to our National Executive Committee this Saturday.”

“We are prepared, should the negotiations make real progress, to pause next week’s strikes. But the government has to show good faith. We ask ministers to drop its preconditions and to begin serious negotiations.”

University lecturers called off their upcoming strikes after a pay offer was received by their union but it is unclear as to how far these upcoming talks between the government and the NEU will go.

National president of the NEU and Carlisle City Councillor, Louise Atkinson said: “They are beginning to listen on pay, now is not the time to back down. We need to be strong, and we need to be united.”

Schools across the region have already announced that they will be closed on strike days and further dates are already planned for March if talks do not progress between the government and the union.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The Education Secretary has written to teaching unions inviting them to build on the constructive discussions that have already taken place and move into formal talks on pay, conditions and reform.

READ MORE: Junior doctors vote to take strike action in Cumbria

“Our hope is that we can find a fair and reasonable settlement that recognises the vital role teachers play, while acknowledging the wider economic pressures facing the country and the Government’s priority to halve inflation.”