Antonia Bance MP: '2,039 hardworking school support staff in Tipton, Wednesbury and Coseley are set to finally get the pay and respect they deserve under Labour’s bold new plan to make work pay'
Teaching assistants, school caretakers, and other support workers have been battling rock-bottom wages and poor working conditions for years – but that is finally being addressed.
Labour’s Employment Rights Bill will bring back the School Support Staff Negotiating Body, giving thousands of education workers a real say in their pay and working conditions.
Under the negotiating body support staff would see:
- Professional recognition – better training meaning higher standards for all children
- Central pay negotiations – just like teachers
- Better recruitment and retention – fewer staff shortages
Across England, over 800,000 workers stand to benefit from this major shake-up.
This comes after the Low Pay Commission officially branded Teaching Assistants as "low paid" under the last Conservative Government.
But shockingly, the Conservatives and Reform are opposing the plan, refusing to back fair pay for the workers who keep our schools running.
Antonia Bance MP hits back: “Without school teaching assistants and support staff, many children in Tipton, Wednesbury and Coseley wouldn’t get the education they deserve."
“I am appalled that the Tories and Reform are voting against these vital plans.
“If you’re not fighting for children and schools, what are you even in politics for?”
Stacey Booth, GMB National Officer, said: “For 14 long years successive Conservative governments did nothing to improve standards for school support staff – leaving them on the Low Pay Commission’s list of poorly paid roles."
“Finally they are getting recognition for their vital work.”
