Laura Trott defends Conservatives’ education record in first clash with Phillipson

Laura Trott defended the Conservative Party’s education record as she clashed with Bridget Phillipson in the House of Commons for the first time.

Trott, who was appointed shadow education secretary on Monday by new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, said England “climbed” international education league tables under Conservative rule.

She told MPs: “There has been a lot of discussion about our record in government. Under Conservatives, England climbed international education league tables. What happened to Labour-run Wales? It fell.”

She added: “Youth unemployment went down, school standards improved. That is the record of the Conservative government and it is one we are proud to defend. Does the secretary of state agree that academisation was one of the driving forces behind this very good school improvement?”

Phillipson, the education secretary, replied: “I am sorry to disappoint the right honourable lady but we are going to be talking about their fourteen years of failure for a very long time indeed.”

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