Conduct a value-for-money review of academy trusts; give Local Authorities greater powers to intervene where leadership and standards fail; introduce a CEO pay cap aligned with headteacher pay, capped at 2% above the highest-paid head; and require independent oversight of contracts.

Multi-Academy Trusts are publicly funded, yet executive pay and major structural decisions can be made without public accountability. While some Trusts are making frontline staff redundant, the highest-paid executives earn more than the PM, and some can earn the equivalent of nine teachers on £40k. The greatest impact on children’s education comes from teachers and TAs—this is where public money should go. Stronger, independent scrutiny from local authorities is essential to safeguard standards.