The plans have proved divisive among Labour MPs

The Education Bill, which includes plans to give schools more independence and control over admissions, faces opposition from some Labour MPs.

Reports suggested it might be postponed because of the threat of rebellion and the pressure on Education Secretary Ruth Kelly over sex offenders.

No 10 says it will be published in February with a March vote, as planned.

Ms Kelly is under pressure over revelations that sex offenders have been allowed by her department to work in schools, and is due to make a statement to MPs on the issue on Thursday.

Asked if he had confidence in Ms Kelly, Tony Blair replied: "Absolutely."

Earlier, the prime minister's official spokesman said it was only right Ms Kelly concentrate on the sex offender issue before focusing back on the Education Bill.

The spokesman said: "It's not a distraction, it's part of the job. The [education] White Paper is also an important part of the job and she will get on with that as well."

'Vulnerable and difficult'

A Department for Education and Skills review is looking at all cases of sex offenders being allowed to work in schools in England and Wales in the last 30 years.

BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Ms Kelly was in a "vulnerable and difficult position" ahead of a planned Cabinet reshuffle.

Colleagues would "wait to see" if she could survive after making her statement, he added.

As the furore continued, Chancellor Gordon Brown said he still supported Ms Kelly.

"It is one of the most difficult jobs, to be education secretary. She has done it very well indeed," Mr Brown told Sky News.

"But this is an issue we know has got to be sorted out and it will be, with the statement she makes on Thursday."

The Education Bill, expected to propose the setting up of independent "trust" schools in England, is facing a backbench rebellion.

Critics say the plans will create a "free for all" on admissions at age 11, paving the way for more selection.

Cabinet concerns

Last week, former Labour leader Lord Kinnock described the plan as "at best a distraction and at worst dangerous".

In November, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said he was not "totally convinced major reform is necessary".

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt denied reports that she was backing Mr Prescott in opposing trust schools.

She told Today the schools would "make a marked difference, particularly to children in deprived areas".

Conservative leader David Cameron has said he will back the reforms.

But it is thought the prime minister does not want the Education Bill to pass just because it has Tory, rather than Labour support.

Equal access?

The government's spending watchdog has raised concerns about parts of the plans in its to response to last year's education White Paper.

The Audit Commission said the plans did not do enough to match the increases it planned in schools' independence with the checks and balances needed to ensure equal access and treatment for all parents and children.

It wants a nationwide code on admissions policy to be made binding on schools and says it has reservations about allowing schools to make "unchecked" decisions on admissions.

"Such decisions are more likely to work against the interests of the most disadvantaged, least mobile and worst informed parents and children," said the commission.

Conservative education spokesman Nick Gibb said schools would be more innovative and motivated the more autonomy they were given.

But Labour backbencher Angela Eagle urged ministers to resist the "siren" voices of Tory support for the plans and ensure the reforms had Labour's hallmarks.