The Prime Minister, Charles Clarke, the Education Secretary, and I have all made very clear that we warmly welcome the publication of the Working Group report.

The department will make a positive and detailed response to the proposals in a White Paper in the New Year. As part of the process of formulating our response, we will maintain our links with key partners and stakeholders, to ensure we keep them informed and engaged in the run-up to the publication of the White Paper. This will, of course, include dialogue with Mike Tomlinson and members of his Working Group.

David Miliband Schools standards minister