New Labour Schools aide quits over reforms

Labour MP Martin Salter has resigned as a government aide in protest at education reforms.

Mr Salter was parliamentary private secretary to Schools Minister Jacqui Smith. He has been MP for Reading West since 1997.

Some Labour backbenchers are worried about plans for more private sector involvement in education.

The plans were laid out by Education Secretary Ruth Kelly last month and are part of Tony Blair's reform agenda.

Under the plans, schools would gain more independence from local authorities and could become 'trust schools'.

This means they would have more control over the finances, staff and admissions - or which pupils they take.

Some Labour MPs fear this will mean a return to widespread selection by ability.

But Ms Kelly said this was a myth as the arrangements would be 'within the admissions code that ensure fair admissions'.

The proposals are to form the basis of an Education Bill early in the New Year. "