BURNLEY and Padiham MP Gordon Birtwistle has defended the education system after new figures released this week showed a significant educational gap in Britain.

Mr Birtwistle said: “These are worrying figures for our area but we need to look beyond the headlines.

“By the time people reach the age of 16, educational under-achievement has become difficult to tackle.

“For example, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are half as likely to achieve five good GSCEs.

“This will not change overnight but requires action from the earliest age because the most important years for a child’s development are the early years.

Mr Birtwistle said the Lib Dems were extending free early years education and trying to provide support for children from less privileged homes.