'No more sops' to Education Bill rebels

The Education Secretary bluntly made it clear at a private meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party that the Prime Minister, if necessary, would rely on Tory votes to get the reforms through the Commons during the two-day debate.

Key issues include selection and the creation of trust schools. The rebels are demanding that parents should have a ballot before trust schools can be set up.

Jim Knight, the Schools minister, hinted that Ofsted, the schools watchdog, may require trust schools to match the Government's aim of community cohesion with their admissions.

Rebel amendments to the education Bill have been tabled a number of senior backbenchers, including Angela Eagle and Martin Salter; and former ministers Nick Raynsford and John Denham.