Teaching assistants in some parts of Wales face pay cuts after being told they will no longer be paid during school holidays, with the introduction of equal pay legislation. Some local authorities say the cuts are necessary to avoid legal action by other council staff who could claim they should receive the same pay and conditions. However, teaching unions, who have met with education minister Jane Hutt, have warned that Wales may face a shortage of teaching assistants if salaries are cut and have called for a new nationwide pay structure.