More of the Coalition’s free schools have been opened in areas controlled by Labor than any other political party, new figures show.
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| Free schools are more likely to be opened in Labour areas, figures show. |
Almost half of the schools have been established in towns and cities with Labor MPs, despite the party’s opposition to the reforms, it emerged.
Figures also show that half of free schools are in areas under the control of Labor local authorities.
Figures also show that half of free schools are in areas under the control of Labor local authorities.
The popularity of the schools in the party’s heartlands will pile pressure on Labor to reverse its opposition to the reforms following claims from Ed Miliband that no more would open under a future Labor government.
It comes just days after it emerged that 21 Labor MPs, including four members of the shadow cabinet, had supported the opening of free schools in their local areas.
The disclosure prompted a charge of “hypocrisy” from the Conservatives.
Some 174 free schools have been opened so far by the Coalition, including 93 this month alone. Schools are state-funded primaries and secondaries run by teachers, parents’ groups and charities – independent of local authority control.
An analysis of the programme by the Telegraph shows that half have been opened in areas run by Labor.
A breakdown of schools by local council shows that 83 out of 174 – or 48 per cent – are in Labor authorities. Some 66 schools – 38 per cent – are in areas run by the Tories while the remainder are in Liberal Democrat councils or areas with no overall control by one party.
When analyzing by Parliamentary constituency, it emerged that 47 per cent of free schools are in areas with Labor MPs, compared with 44 per cent in Tory areas and five per cent in Lib Dem constituencies.
Natalie Evans, director of the New Schools Network, a charity set up to help drive the free schools programme, said: “Setting up a free school to improve local education is about pupils and parents, not politics, so it is great see such widespread support across the political spectrum.
“With nearly 300 now open or in pipeline, free schools are proving overwhelmingly popular with parents, and fast becoming the schools of first choice in their local areas.”
A Labor source insisted that too many free schools were being opened in towns and cities with existing surplus places – representing a waste of money ata time when areas are suffering a shortage of space for primary-age pupils.
“We've always said we will keep open existing free schools that are doing well,” the source said. “The issue is with new schools being opened in areas of surplus places, against wishes of local communities and with unqualified teachers. That's why we won't continue with Michael Gove's free schools policies."
An analysis of the programme by the Telegraph shows that half have been opened in areas run by Labor.
A breakdown of schools by local council shows that 83 out of 174 – or 48 per cent – are in Labor authorities. Some 66 schools – 38 per cent – are in areas run by the Tories while the remainder are in Liberal Democrat councils or areas with no overall control by one party.
When analyzing by Parliamentary constituency, it emerged that 47 per cent of free schools are in areas with Labor MPs, compared with 44 per cent in Tory areas and five per cent in Lib Dem constituencies.
Natalie Evans, director of the New Schools Network, a charity set up to help drive the free schools programme, said: “Setting up a free school to improve local education is about pupils and parents, not politics, so it is great see such widespread support across the political spectrum.
“With nearly 300 now open or in pipeline, free schools are proving overwhelmingly popular with parents, and fast becoming the schools of first choice in their local areas.”
A Labor source insisted that too many free schools were being opened in towns and cities with existing surplus places – representing a waste of money ata time when areas are suffering a shortage of space for primary-age pupils.
“We've always said we will keep open existing free schools that are doing well,” the source said. “The issue is with new schools being opened in areas of surplus places, against wishes of local communities and with unqualified teachers. That's why we won't continue with Michael Gove's free schools policies."
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