Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of steps to improve the pay of teaching support staff.

Teaching support staff, and all school staff, have shown their professionalism and dedication throughout the COVID-19 outbreak to make sure children continue to receive an excellent education.

The department does not set pay for teaching and non-teaching support staff in schools. Instead, employers have the freedom to set pay and conditions to suit their circumstances.

Most schools use the local government pay scales and employers are required to pay at least the statutory minimum wage. The department encourages employers to pay more when they can afford to do so.