Party Lines: November 24th

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Speaking on Sky News this morning, Andy Burnham argued that Michael Gove’s schools reforms will cement the divide between vocational and academic qualifications:

“I’m worried his reforms will entrench that divide – he is not saying very much today to the young children who want to pursue more vocational, practical skills.”

“I’m worried that his White Paper cements the divide between academic qualifications on the one hand and vocational qualifications on the other.”

“I think we need all of us to do more for the young people who are not planning to go to university.”

Later on Radio 4, Caroline Flint said she was concerned that the changes would result in less money for school sport:

“When we actually have a real look, and look accumulatively at all the changes there will be less money in schools than there currently is.”

“I do believe in localism and I believe in partnership. You know, I am a great supporter of competitive sport, I have a daughter who played basketball for England and I also know that a lot of children and young people might not make the first eleven or the first team and you need to look at sport so that everyone can get involved in it.”

And after PMQs today, Douglas Alexander pointed out that the Prime Minister had made a crucial mistake over disabled mobility support, despite being spoken to by his chancellor, suggesting that neither understand the changes they are proposing:

“The Prime Minister, after a word in his ear from his chancellor, got it flat wrong today. He was asked about his own government’s plans to cut mobility support for people in care homes but confused it with separate reforms he is proposing, to the Disability Living Allowance.”

“Labour’s position is clear: we want to work with the government to reform Disability Living Allowance and introduce a new gateway as set out in the Budget. But when the Chancellor went back in his Spending Review and scrapped mobility support for people in care homes, we are clear that goes too far and is a punitive measure that could leave people in care homes more isolated.”

“It is clear that neither the Chancellor or the Prime Minister understand either the detail of their own plans or the impact of these changes. The Prime Minister should get a grip of the facts and explain why he intends to leave 30,000 disabled people living in residential care £2,500 a year worse off.”