White Paper must protect children from poorer homes - Farron

12.00.00am GMT Mon 23rd Jan 2006

Commenting ahead of today's Education Select Committee meeting, Liberal Democrat member of the Committee, Tim Farron MP said "We are very concerned that the measures in the White Paper as it stands will result in schools choosing pupils, not parents choosing schools. Despite Ministers' denials all the evidence available states this will increase social segregation.

"The Tories are playing politics over this white paper.

"Where we agree with the Government we will provide support, but on the key issue of control of admissions we will oppose any measure that will damage the prospects of children from poorer homes."