David Cameron plans a huge expansion of controversial free schools if re-elected, a leaked speech has revealed.
The Prime Minister is set to announce on Monday plans for at least 153 new ones on top of the 255 already open.
Mr Cameron will say: “Every time I celebrate the opening of a free school… I’m so glad, that many more parents can share the peace of mind you feel when your child is getting a great education.”
Since 2010 parents have been able to set up free schools, but some closed due to bad management.
Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt said: “David Cameron has spent £241million on free schools in areas that have enough places.
The draft speech was sent to axed free school architect Michael Gove but not the Education Secretary.
According to the leaked draft of the speech, Mr Cameron will say: “We’re going to dramatically expand the free schools programme. I am announcing 48 new ones.
“And I’m saying that if you vote Conservative, at least 153 will open in the next Parliament – providing 100,000 good school places.”
In a clear change in message, Mr Cameron will pledge to put “families first” in his election campaign.
He will say that this month’s Budget will be “designed around and centred on Britain’s families.”
And he will try to head off Labour’s attack there is a cost of living crisis.
The PM will admit that family budgets have been “attacked from every angle” and parents felt “hammered at the till, ripped off at the petrol pump, robbed by the taxman.”
The PM then lists his Government achievements – even though the majority are Lib Dem policies.
This include increasing the number of free childcare hours for three and four year olds and 15 hours for disadvantaged households – a policy opposed by Michael Gove.
Free schools were introduced in 2010 to allow parents and community groups to set up their own establishments.
But they have been dogged by controversy with some forced to close because of poor management and others set up in areas where there is no shortage of school places.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/david-cameron-plans-massive-expansion-5288276