Tories say Burnham's devolved education plan contradicts Labour's own Schools Act

Andy Burnham proposes locally designed technical education routes shaped by mayors and employers, not Westminster. The Conservatives claim this clashes with Labour's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, which centralises academies, admissions, and teacher pay. No 10 backed Burnham's plan with a near-4,000-word release and nearly 20 endorsements. The Tory objection's specifics remain publicly thin.