Burdens on Schools

Part of Opposition Day – in the House of Commons at 9:46 pm on 2 March 1999.

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Photo of Charles Clarke Charles Clarke Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Education and Employment 9:46, 2 March 1999

Again, I am struck by the increasingly intimate relationship between the ultra-right among the Opposition and the teaching trade unions. Consultation is taking place, and we shall of course listen to every view that is expressed.

On Ofsted inspections, we are lightening the burden where the Tories increased it. On the national curriculum, the Tories went through the Dearing fiasco, while we are reducing the burden. We do not know what the Tories will do, although we heard from the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) that they would scrap the literacy hour. We gather from the Leader of the Opposition that they will scrap the national curriculum altogether. On performance tables, we are reducing the burden.