Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to reports on under-performing academy schools in the Daily Telegraph, said:

“David Cameron and Michael Gove are allowing underperformance to go unchecked in academy schools and Free Schools. The complete lack of local oversight and the practice of allowing unqualified teachers in these schools has meant poor standards of education are allowed to set in.

“Michael Gove is refusing to take the action that is needed to prevent standards slipping.”