MP determined to get RE into EBacc

Stephen Lloyd has spoken of his determination to get Religious Education into the new English Baccalaureate.

In an interview on Premier Christian Radio this week, the Tory MP said that Education Secretary Michael Gove did not believe that the status of RE in schools had been affected by the subject's exclusion from the EBacc.

Despite the Education Secretary's lack of support, Mr Lloyd vowed to keep up efforts for the subject's inclusion.

“Michael Gove and myself and my colleagues have a slight disagreement but we’re absolutely determined that we will not let this go," he said.

Mr Lloyd was speaking ahead of the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group for RE, which he will chair.

He said, “Michael Gove is a rational man, he’s someone who one can do business with.

"He has a slight disagreement with us on this, as he does not believe that the changes to the EBacc are actually effecting RE in schools.”

The Government decided last year that it would not include RE in the new EBacc qualification, despite widespread criticism from politicians and Christians, and a petition calling for its inclusion that was signed by more than 140,000 people.

Since the Baccalaureate has been enforced, church research has revealed a drop in planned provision for RE in schools.

New research out from the Religious Education Council this week revealed that a majority of people (53%) in England and Wales believe RE should remain compulsory.

Most (58%) agreed that it was beneficial for all pupils to participate in RE lessons, a figure that rose rose to 63% among 18 to 24 -year-olds.