To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what (a) pay, (b) conditions and (c) pensions and other benefits are stipulated in legislation for classroom assistants; and what such categories will be stipulated in statute if the proposals announced in the Queen's Speech were enacted. (240611)

There is currently no national pay structure stipulated within legislation to cover support staff (including classroom assistants) who are employed to work in local authority maintained schools. Decisions on pay and conditions and other benefits are taken at local level. However, support staff employed in local authority maintained schools have access to membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The forthcoming Children, Skills and Learning Bill will include a provision to establish the School Support Staff Negotiating Body (SSSNB). The remit of the SSSNB, also to be set out within the Bill, will be to negotiate and reach agreement on matters that will be referred to the Secretary of State relating to (a) the remuneration of school support staff and (b) the conditions of employment relating to the duties or working time of school support staff.