LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has vowed to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with the 2,700 teaching assistants fighting the imposition of term-time only pay contracts.

On the eve of his friend Davey Hopper’s funeral in Durham City yesterday, Mr Corbyn said the Government must not push “these dedicated public servants” into poverty.

He had already pledged his support at the Durham Miners’ Gala and his latest comments, shared on Facebook and Twitter on Wednesday night, have further lifted the campaigners’ spirits.

Mr Corbyn said: “I recently had the honour of meeting the Durham teaching assistants at the Durham Miners’ Gala, who are resisting the imposition of term time pay and campaigning to be employed every week of the year.

“The Government must fund teaching assistants every week of the year; recognising the crucial work these dedicated public servants do in our society –not pushing them into poverty.”

Durham County Council has approved plans to make its 2,700 teaching assistants redundant at the end of the year, before re-employing them with a pay cut of up to 23 per cent.

Mr Corbyn said: “I give this commitment. I will be standing shoulder to shoulder with their campaign – backed by UNISON which was agreed at their conference this year – to end the imposition of term time pay and for school workers across the UK to be employed during every week of the year.”

He also quoted Mr Hopper, the late leader of Durham Miners’ Association, and Easington MP Grahame Morris who have also pledged their solidarity with the teaching assistants.

Kathryne Wray, of the County Durham Teaching Assistants Activists Community, said: “Jeremy issued a message of solidarity in the early stages and vowed to offer further support. When we saw the statement yesterday we were absolutely delighted. This puts more pressure on the council to get back around the round the negotiating table.”

Helen Metcalfe, Unison regional organiser, added: “We are of course delighted with the support given by both Jeremy Corbyn and Dave Prentis, General Secretary of Unison, to our teaching assistant members in Durham. "By speaking on this local campaign at the Miners' Gala it really reinforced the strength of trade unions and our proud history of fighting for working people in County Durham and beyond.”

Teaching assistant Kay Johnson, from Spennymoor, however, questioned whether Labour councillors would listen.

“I think it's really good of Jeremy Corbyn to say that but are any other Labour members going to take any notice?” she asked. “Four Labour councillors from Spennymoor voted for it to go ahead.”

Durham County Council will meet on Wednesday, September 14, to discuss issues raised through the consultation process. The council resolution of May 16 remains in place.