Angela Rayner MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on the Education Committee hearing on Selective education, said:

“Economists and education experts appeared before the Education Select Committee this morning and were in universal agreement – introducing more grammar schools will damage our education system and make things worse for our most disadvantaged children.

“The committee heard that while the world is moving away from selection, the Tories are dragging us back.

“A fully selective education system will not provide the skills we need for a future economy. All children must be given the chance to fulfil their potential and be given access to a broad and balanced academic curriculum if Britain is to remain competitive in the modern world. It is depressing that Theresa May has so little ambition for our children.”