The council's Labour Group Leader has taken over as the Group's portfolio spokesperson for education and children's services on a temporary basis.

The move comes following the resignation yesterday of Labour's former spokesperson for the portfolio, Roger Pierce. A new spokesperson will be appointed in the next couple of weeks.

Coun. James Alexander said:

"Roger made great strides in the education portfolio before his decision to stand down, and I will fill this void in the short term until we appoint a replacement, which will be very soon. We have a wealth of experience and knowledge within the Labour Group in this important area, so I have no concerns about filling the vacancy with a very able individual.

"Education is in a state of flux at present with major changes being forced through Parliament by the Coalition Government without proper debate. That appears to have led to a lack of confidence from schools wanting to go down the academy route, with only around 100 secondary schools nationally plumping for academy status, rather than the 1000+ quoted by Michael Gove in another characteristic gaff.

"Local Labour's position is that schools and parents are free to explore whatever avenues are open to them under existing legislation, but that we oppose academies and free schools on the grounds that we believe they will lead both to a two-tier system of education as well as reduced resources for schools that remain under the umbrella of the local authority.

"The public I'm sure realise that many schools' interests revolve around their own school only whilst the local authority's interests must be broader and take into account the standard of education provision across the whole city. It should therefore come as no surprise that we oppose these latest developments. If local Liberal Democrats were able to be honest they would also oppose them, but they are now beholden to what the Government dictates and that is bad for education in the city".