Loughton launches bid to become chair of education select committee

Loughton, Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said he will be putting his name forward to replace fellow Tory Graham Stuart who has held the role the past five years but announced following the general election that he would be standing down.

An election for the chairmanship is due to take place later this month, voted for by MPs.

Loughton told CYP Now that he had been considering putting himself forward for a committee chairmanship “for a while” and had been told by colleagues to opt for education.

“Everyone I talked to said I ought to go for education to carry on the work I was doing as children’s minister – a poacher turned gamekeeper role,” he said.

“I thought it would be a good position to try and scrutinise government.”

Loughton has been critical of the government on several occasions since his unexpected sacking as children’s minister in 2012.

In January 2013 he said the Department for Education had downgraded the children and families agenda in favour of “bulldozer” schools reforms.

Loughton said there are a number of areas he would want to focus on if he secures the committee chairmanship.

“I’m concerned we are not making progress on adoption and child protection seems to drifting,” he said.

“A lot of work has been devolved to the Home Office, which I have great concerns about.

“The number of children coming into care is continuing to increase and we need strong scrutiny over that.

“I want to make sure [the committee] has a strong social care remit, because it is not just about education.”

In terms of education, Loughton said he is interested in looking into how the pupil premium, introduced by the coalition government, is being used, and whether state-maintained schools and academies offer good value for money.

It is understood that, so far, three other MPs, all Conservative, are preparing to stand – Neil Carmichael, Anne-Marie Morris and Caroline Nokes.

In order to stand, candidates must secure nominations from 15 members of their own party, as well as five nominations from members of opposition parties.

Loughton said he has been encouraged by the support he has received.

“I have had good feedback from across the House of Commons,” he said.

“I have been approached by quite a few ex-ministers who have all encouraged me to do this committee, and I have had strong support from some Labour people, including a former committee chairman.

“I had several emails over the weekend from senior social workers and youth organisations asking me whether I was thinking about throwing my hat in the ring, which were completely unprovoked.

“That’s what decided it for me.”