STAYING with education, the Government is also in hot water over its plans to force schools to become academies.

The controversial proposals have been backed by York council's Tory leader Chris Steward.

Many parents are deeply concerned about the rush to academisation, however. And now two Tory-led councils - North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire - have spoken out against the proposals, fearing they could force small, rural schools to close.

We have no problem with with schools becoming academies if that's what parents and governors want.

But surely forcing schools to become academies against their wishes runs contrary to everything this government says about devolving decision-making to local communities?