To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his policy is on the creation of new specialist schools; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 20 October that the Government are removing the prescription that has built up around the specialist schools programme and giving school leaders greater freedom to make use of the opportunities offered by specialism and the associated funding. All schools will be free to decide how to develop specialisms in the light of the total resources available to them. Schools are no longer required to seek formal designation as specialist.