David Cameron attacks Labour’s ‘damaging and nonsensical’ school reforms
Lord Cameron issued a stark warning to his colleagues, urging them to vote against the government’s education reforms, which he described as “damaging and absurd”.
writing in Daily Telegraph, The former prime minister accused the Labor government of wielding a “vindictive wrecking ball” by canceling scores of free schools projects.
The free schools programme, launched in 2010, allows independent groups to set up state-supported schools that operate outside local authority management.
“The Starmer Government’s response to all this has been to throw a spiteful wrecking ball at the whole project,” his Tory peer wrote.
He detailed the scope of the cancellations: “Has the budget for the new generation of free schools been set and ready for use? Cancelled. 46 projects have been canceled – 18 of which are private schools, while 59 vital special and alternative service projects are also on hold.”
These cancellations are expected to save around £600 million. The savings are part of the government’s wider £3bn plan to create 50,000 new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Lord Cameron, who was elected a life member in 2023, called on the House of Lords to vote against the bill.
“They are the future, so we must stop these damaging and ridiculous plans,” he said of the students.
Labour’s flagship education bill also includes various measures that would bring academies into line with council-run schools that previously enjoyed freedoms.
Under the changes, academies will have to follow the national curriculum and comply with the same minimum wage and conditions framework as existing schools.
In addition, the Bill will introduce new intervention powers if trusts fail to meet expected standards, which could lead to their school being moved elsewhere.
“When it comes to academies, Labor is systematically dismantling the freedoms that help them succeed,” he said.
“The freedom for schools to hire the staff they need, to teach the curriculum that best serves their students, and for parents to choose the right school for their children has been at the core of cross-party success for years. The bill reverses all of that. And the losers will be children.”
Earlier in January, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson proposed an amendment to the bill setting out plans for Ofsted to inspect multi-academy trusts, as previously promised in the party’s election manifesto.
Academy trust-wide inspections will look at how well trusts develop schools, the quality of their teaching, how they use resources and how well they look after the welfare of pupils.
Ms Phillipson said: “Every child, whatever their background, should be able to succeed and thrive, and strong schools working together through high-quality trusts help make this possible.
“This collaboration must be matched by clear and fair accountability. Trust monitoring will recognize excellence, support development and ensure that no child is overlooked, especially those with the greatest needs.”
The Ministry of National Education was contacted for comment.
