Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has hailed plans announced by the government to provide extra funding for grammar schools.

Mr Johnson, who attended Dartford Grammar School, said the plans to put £50 million into a Selective Schools Expansion Fund for the next two years were "welcome."

The scheme, announced by education secretary Damian Hinds last week, is designed to help grammar schools take on more pupils.

The government said the move was an attempt to encourage more children from underprivileged backgrounds to be accepted into selective schools.

Plans were also announced to encourage more voluntary-aided faith schools to open across the country.

Speaking about the plans, Mr Johnson said: “This announcement is a welcome vote of confidence for grammar schools.

“Grammar schools form an important part of a diverse educational system.

"In Dartford we have four grammar schools which complement the educational opportunities available for local children.

"It’s important to recognise that all children have different talents and schools should reflect this. We should not strive for a ‘one size fits all’ system.

“This is the first time I can remember specific funding being available for grammar schools. It’s generally accepted that funding for grammar schools has fallen compared to non-selective schools and this will help to assist that.

“The money will be earmarked to allow grammar schools to expand their intake provided they can show that they are maximising the opportunities for poorer children.

“Our grammar schools are good schools and we should enable good schools to expand and flourish.”

The announcement of the plans last week reignited a debate about grammar schools in the UK, which some argue are an outdated and exclusive concept.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner accused the government of a "vanity project" and slammed plans to only provide funding to selective schools.

She said: “The continued obsession with grammar schools will do nothing for the vast majority of children, and it is absurd for Ministers to push ahead with plans to expand them when the evidence is clear that they do nothing to improve social mobility.

“Only Labour can be trusted to create a National Education Service that gives schools the investment they need to ensure all children receive the high quality education they deserve.”