News that some Conservative and one Labour MP have tabled an amendment to the Academies Bill to try and protect grammar schools is too little, too late according to Young Independence Chairman Michael Heaver.

He said: "While the likes of Tory MP Graham Brady are now seeking to protect grammar schools, it is action that is coming far too late.

"Grammar schools give pupils from all backgrounds a fair opportunity to achieve their potential. It is a shame that only now after David Cameron has got his feet under the table in Downing Street, Conservative MPs seem to want to make a bid to stop the threat to grammar schools that Academies represent.

"Conservative MPs have kept very quiet up until now on this issue and in doing so have played politics with the lives of Britain's young people. Thankfully we in UKIP will go on making the case for equal opportunities for all youngsters no matter what their background, before, during and after elections."