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Academies Bill [Lords]

It is, of course, a point of debate and I look forward to hearing the shadow Secretary of State shortly. The reasoned amendment argues that we are not building on the success of the academies programme, but the Bill fulfils it. It makes it easier for failing schools to be placed in the hands of great sponsors to turn them round, for good schools to take faltering schools under their wing and for all children from disadvantaged backgrounds to benefit from academy status. I refer those who argue that we are failing children with special educational needs to the remarks of Lord Adonis in the upper House when the Bill was making progress there. He said:"““On the contrary, in crucial areas of special educational needs, particularly EBD””—" emotional and behavioural difficulties—"““the dynamic innovation… that academies can bring could lead to significant improvements… in ways that enhance the overall quality of the state education system.””—[Official Report, House of Lords, 23 June 2010; Vol. 719, c. 1399.]" The expansion of the academies programme will drive that improvement in state education. I know that some Opposition Members say, ““Pause, gie canny, slow down, hesitate””, but that is the argument of the conservative throughout the ages when confronted with the radicalism that says we need to do better for our children. We cannot afford to wait. We cannot afford Labour's failed approach any more, with teachers directed from the centre, regulations stifling innovation and our country falling behind other nations. We need reform and we need it now. We need the Bill.