Lucy Powell MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Education, commenting on reports that the Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is preparing to allow local authorities to set up their own academy chains, said:

“It’s clear the Tory Government doesn’t have any support whatsoever for these plans. Head teachers, parents and now an increasing number of Conservative MPs see that it’s a costly, unnecessary exercise with no evidence that standards will improve. If Nicky Morgan thinks that allowing good local authorities to form academy chains will allay fears then she clearly hasn’t been listening very carefully.

“The Education Secretary needs to make clear whether she will be asking for powers to force all good and outstanding schools to become academies against their wishes as part of the Queen’s Speech. Parents, schools leaders and others deserve clarity on this key issue. The Government’s woeful handling of this to date has already caused huge upheaval and concern.”