Parents' aid 'starved of cash'

A tiny number of compulsory parenting orders have been issued because most councils lack the cash to implement them, the Government's own research has found.

A new Department for Education study found that parenting classes could greatly improve pupil behaviour in schools. But most local education authorities are unable to offer support to parents, either through voluntary or mandatory schemes.

The report found systems in place for providing the programmes are "fragile" and "unco-ordinated". Lack of cash is undermining attempts to crack down on yobbish behaviour both inside and outside schools.