Hi Jack long time listener first time caller! You say that the phrase "As soon as possible" is the opposite of a delay. The actual opposite of a delay is immediate action which does not equate with the equivocal phrase "As soon as possible" so how do you explain this dichotomy?

“As soon as possible” is probably closer to the unequivocal end of a spectrum of statements on timing. It is more equivocal than the specification of a date, so the Education Secretary’s intervention was positive, but is still a pretty clear statement of intent for immediate action.