Evidence given to the Inquiry indicated poor coordination of legislation within the DCSF, and virtually no evaluation being done before amending legislation was brought forward. Witnesses complained that systems were being amended before they had been fully implemented. The Merits Committee's report argues for less Government reliance on regulations, in order to leave greater room for the professionalism of teachers to deliver the objectives of improving education.
The Government response agreed to use common commencement dates and we received further comments on that response from some of the witnesses. The House debated the Merits Committee's report on 19 June. We are pleased to note that DCSF has continued to progress this agenda, a follow up letter from the Labour government is included in our end of session report for 2008-09 and a letter from the current government's Education Minister is included in our 10th report of session 2010-12.