EDUCATION: Labour was urged to avoid “word-salad answers” and reverse council budget cuts yesterday as the GMB conference heard that the academisation of schools damages working conditions.

Leeds school support staff delegate James Wilton said: “The majority of academies unfortunately make a mockery of the hard-fought terms and conditions the GMB has fought for for years.

“Community wealth needs to be at the forefront of Labour’s economic policy and it’s worrying that, when asked if they would increase budgets nationally, they give our members word-salad answers.”

EDUCATION: Academy schools avoid scrutiny of assaults on teaching assistants by pupils, the GMB conference heard yesterday.

Leeds school support staff delegate James Wilton said it was unacceptable that teaching assistants were being assaulted at work.

“Academies avoid accountability by hiding behind their own internal complaints procedures and reporting of staff assault systems,” he said.

SOCIAL CARE: Seven in 10 care workers say understaffing is negatively affecting their mental health, a GMB poll reveals today.

Half of those polled said the abuse they receive at work also worsens their emotional state. GMB national officer Natalie Grayson said: “Our care sector is beyond the point of crisis.”

The survey findings will be discussed at the union’s annual congress today.