Commenting on the news that the government's catch-up Tsar Sir Kevan Collins has resigned over today's recovery plan announcement, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said:

"Sir Kevan Collins' resignation tops off a truly awful day for the government and a deeply disappointing one for all those working in schools. There is little point in appointing an internationally-respected education expert as catch-up Tsar if you fail to listen to what they have to say. The Treasury has refused to respond to the education crisis in the same way as they have the economic one. It is completely understandable that Sir Kevan chose not to become a pawn in whatever game the government is playing."