Education Bill split in two

The Government is to split education legislation bringing sweeping change to schools and universities into two Bills amid fears the schools programme could be delayed by opposition to tuition fees.

A Bill introducing undergraduate tuition fees is expected to receive its first reading in the House of Lords late next week.

A second Bill is expected to receive its first reading in December. It will contain a package of measures affecting schools, including steps to abolish grant maintained status.

The decision to divide the legislation into two reflects anxiety that controversy over tuition fees could hold up plans to drive up school standards.