SCOTTISH teachers are demanding more pay to offset a growing recruitment crisis in the sector.

The annual meeting of the NASUWT teaching union heard there were problems findings teachers to fill vacancies in a number of schools with lower pay one issue of concern.

Richard Bell, a member of the union, said "more and more" was being asked of Scottish teachers at a time when they were being paid "less and less".

He said: "From our unique perspective as a union we can see the corrosive effects of policy decisions which undermine both teacher morale and consequently have a negative impact on the educational experiences of young people.

"Without tangible positive steps to support teachers then what may begin as a supply problem will likely grow into a general recruitment crisis, as has been the experience elsewhere."

Mr Bell also suggested the political parties' manifestos indicated a potential move towards greater decision-making at headteacher level.

But he warned this should not lead to a move towards English-style academies.

He said: "Uniquely within the Scottish context, our union can bring to bear the experience of dealing with an academy and free school system, and seek to lobby decision makers to ensure that the negative aspects of such a system are not visited on Scottish education."