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George Osborne faces MPs for the first time today since quitting the Commons last year.

The former Chancellor stood down from Parliament at last June’s general election.

But he returns to Westminster to give evidence to a Select Committee investigating education in the North.

Mr Osborne, who chairs the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said last night: “Education is key to the future of the Northern Powerhouse.

(Image: Reuters)

“At the moment, school performance in the North is not as strong as it is in other parts of the country.

“It doesn’t have to be that way.

“I’m calling on the Government to commit to this bold objective - let’s make sure as many kids in the North attend good and outstanding schools as they do now in London.

“Working with teachers, businesses and government at every level, we can do it.”

The Tory former Cabinet Minister will highlight figures showing 94% of London secondary school pupils attend schools rated ‘outstanding’ or ‘good’, compared to just 74% across the North.

(Image: OJO+) (Image: PA)

Closing the gulf would mean an extra 430,000 Northern children in 2022 would have the opportunity to attend an outstanding or good secondary school.

However, Mr Osborne could face criticism from some Labour MPs on the Education Select Committee after Tory austerity triggered the closure of Sure Start centres across the country.

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership’s vice-chairman, former Treasury Minister and crossbench peer Lord Jim O’Neill, will also appear before MPs.

He said: “Turning around Northern schools is a major challenge.

(Image: PA) (Image: PA)

“But it was done in London, which had the worst schools in the country, and can be done in the Northern Powerhouse.”

Children’s Commissioner Anne Longfield added: “In deprived parts of northern England, over half of children are attending secondary schools rated as less than good.

“In London it is 13%.

“The Northern Powerhouse is a once in a lifetime opportunity to make sure every child growing up in the North has the best chances to live healthy, happy and prosperous lives.

“It must not be wasted.”