Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to reports that Michael Gove transferred £400 million away from areas in need of new primary places into the Free School programme, said:

“The Free School programme had the Lib Dem stamp of approval from day one. They’re as much to blame for the failings as the Tories.

“There is a national crisis in primary school places of this government’s making. Last year the number of infant class sizes with more than 30 children double. This from a Tory party that promised smaller class sizes at the last general election.

“Gove’s decision to transfer this funding away from areas in need of new primary places into the Free School programme is an act of ideological vandalism.”