Farron leads call for re-think over teaching assistant plans

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has asked all the county's MPs to join him in signing a motion to parliament in opposition to the planned cuts to the salaries of teaching assistants, calling on Schools Secretary Michael Gove to intervene.

Tim held a public meeting with local teaching assistants last Friday and he has launched a petition to allow the public in the South Lakes to show their feelings about the plans.

Through their strategy on single status implementation the Conservative led council have put forward plans for a significant pay cut that could result in up to a 30% drop in income for local teaching assistants. Fears are that this unfair drop in pay might lower morale among teaching assistants and that this could negatively impact on the quality of education for children in the South Lakes.

Tim will be also speaking in a debate on the matter in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Tim said: "This cut in pay for our teaching assistants is extremely unfair and can only lead to a negative impact on the quality of education for our children. As a father myself I know the fantastic work teaching assistants do."

I am working with all the MP's in the county to try and make sure the council re-think these plans."