The prime minister has called for greater diversity and choice in the provision of education in London.

The Capital's most deprived areas are to secure 10 new schools as the government introduces a "tailor made" strategy to raise standards.

John Pugh, schools spokesman, said: "Every London child deserves a good education. It is unbelievable that it has taken Labour six years to recognise this.

"Schools have to step over the ruins of a whole series of failed government initiatives before they can enjoy the benefits of increased investment.

"Handing over local council schools to unsuccessful private companies has been a monstrous and expensive diversion.

"Until now, government initiatives have made no impact on exam results in London schools. It is difficult to see why pupils, parents and teachers should have confidence in Labour's latest 'big idea'."

Tim Yeo, shadow education and health secretary, said: "You can tell there is an election coming up when the government sees fit to rehash previously announced initiatives.

"The prime minister said six years ago education was his number one priority, the relaunch of old news must ring hollow with parents in London unable to make the sort of choices Diane Abbott and the prime minister himself were able to make'.

Forum Response: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the ATL, said: "We welcome the government's acknowledgement that there are parts of inner London which require urgent attention and extra funding.

"London schools have had a bad press in recent weeks. We know, however, that there are many excellent schools and excellent teachers in London and we would support any initiative that attempts to bring all of our schools up to the standards of the best.

"We are pleased to see that a proposal for a tailor-made plan for each of the selected boroughs has been created and we hope this suggests that we have moved beyond the one-size-fits-all approach.

"However we hope that the term 'tailor-made' does not become another of the DfES's many mantras."

Forum Response: Professional Association of Teachers

Jean Gemmell, general secretary, told ePolitix.com: "We welcome this initiative, as will, I'm sure, these areas of London. There are other parts of London and the country that can argue that their need is as great.

"However, if this massive injection of funding to these particular areas proves successful in combating under-achievement and social and educational deprivation, we hope that it might become a blueprint for the future that can spread elsewhere."