Put pupils before Whitehall say Lib Dems

9.00.00pm GMT Fri 24th Mar 2006

Commenting on the Government's Education Bill, Andrew Simpson said: "With the Education Bill now going through Parliament, many local people agree with the Liberal Democrats that what matters is our children's future. Education is best delivered locally, by our community, not by Blair's army of Whitehall bureaucrats.

"The Labour Government's plans mean that local councils will not be able to influence what

happens in our schools. For instance, if local parents want a new local school, they will have to go to the Secretary of State for Education to get permission, not the council".

"And many local parents will lose out under the government's plan to let every school set their own admissions policy. It means many parents will not get their kids into local schools.

"Our area isn't like London - most parents just don't have a choice of school to send their children to. What they want to see is better standards in our schools rather than messing around with the structures".

"Liberal Democrats don't want to see undeliverable choice at the expense of someone else's

children. But we do want to see improved choice and better standards for every secondary school pupil. This includes getting schools to work closely together to provide the best resources and expertise".