A Midland Labour MP has claimed councils with school building programmes are being told they will not be successful unless they apply for academy status.

Ken Purchase (Wolverhampton North East) told the Commons he feared this could lead to "religious bigots" running schools, which would not benefit children.

During exchanges on future parliamentary business, he said: "I wonder whether we could bring the Education Secretary to this House to deal with reports suggesting that the Government, through its officials, is telling local authorities with school building programmes that they will not be successful unless that programme includes a commitment to an academy."

He warned: "That kind of stand-off between the Government and the local authority, condemns some of our children to schools such as those in my constituency which badly need replacing." It would "maybe deliver us into the hands of religious bigots from whom children will not benefit or indeed those with £2 million to buy a school whose egos need somewhat assuaging."

Commons Leader Jack Straw said: "I know of no case where an academy has been established where... religious bigots have been involved.

He said he understood "this concern you raise and will ensure the Secretary of State for Education and Skills is appraised about the matter".