Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of new free schools which would be opened if the 50 per cent cap on faith-based schools were removed; and what discussions they have had with representatives of (1) the Catholic Church, and (2) non-religious interest groups, about the impact of that cap on admissions.

The ‘Schools that work for everyone’ consultation document, available in the House Library, recognised that some faiths, including the Catholic Church, have felt unable to open new schools, subject to the 50% cap, through the free schools’ route because they say it contravenes religious rules.

Ministers and officials meet regularly and have discussions with a range of partners and stakeholders including representatives of the Catholic Church, such as the Catholic Education Service, and non-religious interest groups such as the British Humanist Association and National Secular Society. A range of issues, including the impact of the 50% cap on admissions, are regularly discussed in the context of general discussions. The department plans to respond on this in due course. We greatly value the important role Catholic schools play in our education system and that will continue.