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Peers reject faith school quotas Peers reject faith school quotas
(1 day later)
Peers have voted down a plan to make newly established faith schools in England take up to a quarter of pupils from other religions.Peers have voted down a plan to make newly established faith schools in England take up to a quarter of pupils from other religions.
The rejection of an amendment to the Education Bill, tabled by Lord Baker, follows ministers' decision to drop similar plans last week. The rejection of an amendment to the Education Bill, tabled by Lord Baker, follows the decision by ministers to drop similar plans last week.
Peers voted by a margin of more than three to one against the proposal.Peers voted by a margin of more than three to one against the proposal.
Ex-Tory minister Lord Baker said the government had "changed tack" under pressure from the Catholic Church.Ex-Tory minister Lord Baker said the government had "changed tack" under pressure from the Catholic Church.
'Voluntary agreement''Voluntary agreement'
Peers voted by 119 to 37 against the former education secretary's amendment.Peers voted by 119 to 37 against the former education secretary's amendment.
He had claimed his proposal would promote "social cohesion".He had claimed his proposal would promote "social cohesion".
Earlier this month, Lord Baker dropped an amendment to the bill, calling for a quota, after the government promised to introduce similar plans.Earlier this month, Lord Baker dropped an amendment to the bill, calling for a quota, after the government promised to introduce similar plans.
ENGLAND'S FAITH SCHOOLS Church of England 4,646Roman Catholic 2,041Jewish 37Muslim 9 (expected)Sikh 2 Q&A: Faith school quotasENGLAND'S FAITH SCHOOLS Church of England 4,646Roman Catholic 2,041Jewish 37Muslim 9 (expected)Sikh 2 Q&A: Faith school quotas
But Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced last week that this was no longer going to happen.But Education Secretary Alan Johnson announced last week that this was no longer going to happen.
He had reached a voluntary agreement with Catholic leaders to ensure new faith schools would take up to a quarter of pupils from other religions, he added.He had reached a voluntary agreement with Catholic leaders to ensure new faith schools would take up to a quarter of pupils from other religions, he added.
Lord Baker said the real beneficiary of the government removing its quotas plan would be the 120 Muslim private schools wishing to enter the state sector.Lord Baker said the real beneficiary of the government removing its quotas plan would be the 120 Muslim private schools wishing to enter the state sector.
Under his plan, councils would have been empowered to order new faith schools to take up to 25% of pupils from other religions, or no religion.Under his plan, councils would have been empowered to order new faith schools to take up to 25% of pupils from other religions, or no religion.
The Conservatives did not support Lord Baker's amendment.The Conservatives did not support Lord Baker's amendment.
Cross-bencher Lord Alton said quotas would "destabilise successful schools, causing division and resentment", adding that a "consensual way forward" would be better.Cross-bencher Lord Alton said quotas would "destabilise successful schools, causing division and resentment", adding that a "consensual way forward" would be better.
Meanwhile, peers backed another amendment calling for schools to promote "community cohesion".Meanwhile, peers backed another amendment calling for schools to promote "community cohesion".
The amendment allows for Ofsted inspectors to monitor the way schools form links with other local educational establishments.The amendment allows for Ofsted inspectors to monitor the way schools form links with other local educational establishments.