Liz Truss slammed as critics warn school policies 'ignore the needs of disadvantaged children'

The Foreign Secretary has not explained how her plan to offer interviews at Oxbridge to all top students would work in practice

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Sunak and Truss clash in BBC leadership debate

Liz Truss' school proposals ignore the needs of poor children, the Lib Dems warned last night.

The Conservative leadership favorite has been hit as she tries to outplay Rishi Sunak by releasing policies before ballots hit doormats today.

Ms Truss hopes to replace failing academies with free schools, raise standards in maths and literacy and ensure that A*A level students are automatically invited to apply to Oxbridge.

Labour said its case for getting education back on track was a 'damning indictment against the governments of which it has been a part'. Munira Wilson of the Lib Dems said he was falling short of giving children "the opportunities and experiences they deserve after the Department for Education's constant failures".

Critics have questioned the education policies of foreign ministers (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile Mr Sunak has said he will cut the basic income tax rate from 20p a pound to 16p - but only by 2028.

The former Chancellor has been criticized for making another fiscal U-turn.

"It's welcome that Rishi made another U-turn on tax cuts, it's only a shame he didn't as Chancellor when he raised taxes several times Unfortunately, it's a case of 'jam tomorrow,'" a source from Ms Truss's campaign said.

The ex-Chancellor was hurt by more MPs backing his rival Ms Truss over the weekend as NHS chiefs slammed his plan to fine patients £10 for missed appointments, and Nadine Dorries compared it to Brutus stabbing Julius Caesar in the back.