Schools Minister Nick Gibb on Conservative academy plan

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said Conservative backbench opposition to the forced academisation of schools was his “fault” and he needed to do “more to sell the policy”.

Mr Gibb would not say when legislation would be put before Parliament, but said the government is “pressing ahead” with its plans.

Green Party leader Natalie Bennett said her party's policy was to get rid of free schools and academies, bringing all state schools into "local democratic control."

They were speaking to Daily Politics presenter Jo Coburn about anger over the academy plan, some of which comes from Conservative MPs and councillors.

The Conservative minister said: “Well that’s my fault, I need to do more, we need to do more to sell the policy and make the case to colleagues but the vision is very clear, it’s about ensuring there are no under-performing schools in our system. And that’s what parents want.”