Education and Inspections Bill

I accept the hon. Lady’s point, but no one is blaming the children. Too many schools in this country are underperforming and letting down the very children she is talking about. For example, it cannot be right that employers complain that new graduate employees are writing what they describe as illiterate memos and letters. The National Audit Office has reported that 23 per cent. of secondary schools are underperforming. It is clear that education reform is still crucial. We support the Bill because:"““The system will finally be opened up to real parent power. All schools will be able to have Academy style freedoms . . . No one will be able to veto parents starting new schools or new providers coming in, simply on the basis that there are surplus places.””" How could anyone disagree with the Prime Minister when he said that? Even after the unnecessary concessions made to Labour rebels in the Secretary of State’s letter, these essential principles of reform remain as she described them. She said:"““I remain committed to all the freedoms for foundation and trust schools that we set out in the White Paper—schools owning their own buildings, employing their own staff and setting their own admission arrangements . . . the ability of good schools to expand, as set out in the White Paper, will remain.””"