First minister Carwyn Jones has assured teachers that a “Yes” vote in next week’s referendum on further powers for the National Assembly will have no impact on their pay and conditions.

Some teaching unions had expressed concern that the Assembly government could seek devolved powers from Westminster if the vote is passed on 3 March.

But Mr Jones said a “Yes” vote would have “no impact whatsoever” on pay and conditions and attacked the “huge amount of misleading and inaccurate information” being put out by “No” campaigners.

The Assembly government already has the power to seek devolved powers over pay and conditions for teachers, but has so far decided against doing so.

Many teaching unions in Wales oppose the move, fearing that teacher pay rates would fall if power was devolved, with the notable exception of UCAC, which supports the idea.

Meanwhile, the two sides in the referendum debate are stepping up their campaigns in the last week before the country goes to the polls.

Writing in TES Cymru last week, True Wales spokeswoman Rachel Banner said the devolution record on education does not merit a vote of confidence in the National Assembly, and that politicians should do a “proper” job with the tools they have.

But in today’s paper, Deeside College principal and Yes for Wales vice-chairman David Jones says the necessary changes to the education system will only happen if the National Assembly is empowered with a “Yes” vote.