Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nick Gibb and Tania Mathias

Monday 20th July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gibb]

The only restriction that applies to the establishment of new free schools is that there must be demand and need for those free school places. That is our policy. I would be interested to know the policy of the UK Independence party, and indeed Labour, on free schools.

[Dr Tania Mathias (Twickenham) (Con)]

What assurances can the Minister give me regarding securing buildings for free schools? In my constituency, east Twickenham is in desperate need of free schools but there are very few suitable sites.

[Mr Gibb]

My hon. Friend raises an important point. We need local authorities to be co-operative and to work with us to identify sites for free schools. This is an important way of improving the quality of schools and the number of school places, and we expect local authorities to work with us to identify suitable sites.