Durham councillors approve contract changes for teaching assistants

Thousands of teaching assistants in County Durham will have their pay cut under controversial plans that have been approved by councillors today.

2,700 school staff will have their contracts terminated, and new terms introduced. Durham County Council says it has to make the move to even up inequalities in pay between employees.

But unions say TAs could lose up to £400 a month - and that could have 'devastating' financial consequences for many of them.

Here's our Education Correspondent Tom Sheldrick:

Durham councillors have approved controversial plans to terminate the contracts of 2,700 teaching assistants and re-employ them on changed conditions.

Unison have said the decision is 'devastating' and will push some teaching assistants into poverty.

Durham County Council insists the proposals are necessary, otherwise it could face equal pay challenges due to discrepancies between different positions.

Durham councillors have approved controversial plans to terminate the contracts of 2,700 teaching assistants and re-employ them on changed conditions.

Many teaching assistants and their unions say this will cost them up to £400 per month.

Durham County Council insists the proposals are necessary, otherwise it could face equal pay challenges due to discrepancies between different positions.