MP HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION WORRY

He also says that last year the situation worsened markedly after several years of slow improvement.

The figures, disclosed in answer to a parliamentary question tabled by Mr Baker, reveal that 49 per cent of 15-year-olds in the constituency achieved fewer than five A*-C grades last summer.

That is five per cent worse than the national average.

Said Mr Baker: 'Despite nine years of Blair's repetitive education mantra, every other child in my constituency is coming out of education with poorer grades than I would like.

'This obviously limits their opportunity to continue into further education.

'This country has one of the highest rates of children leaving school at 16 in Europe and this shows that many of those who do leave are not best equipped for the working world.

'This is simply not good enough.

'The government's recently introduced Education Bill is at best a diversion and at worst a handicap.

'What parents want to see is improved standards in their local school, indeed in all of our schools, and not just the Government's idle tinkering with structures.'