Revolt 'to foil benefit cut for truancy'

Tony Blair's attempt to withdraw child benefit from parents of truants was in trouble today, with reports that it will be scuppered by a Cabinet revolt.

Opponents led by Gordon Brown were understood to be blocking the move, which was condemned as a gimmick when unveiled by the Prime Minister in April. Critics said the idea would be expensive and difficult to enforce, and would penalise poor families for the behaviour of only one of their children.

But Downing Street was pressing ahead with the plan, which it was convinced would send a strong signal to parents that they must ensure their children attend school.

Mr Blair's official spokesman said: "Work is ongoing on the practicalities, but the whole issue of rights and responsibilities is very much on the agenda." The Chancellor's allies in opposing the plan were thought to be Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith, who would have to implement it, and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Officials in Mr Smith's department were understood to have told a No10 team looking at the idea that it would be unworkable. They believed that attempts to tell parents they were having their benefits withdrawn would trigger rows at new-style benefits offices where screens between staff and claimants have been removed.

One Whitehall source said: "You would need an army of officials to implement it."

Opponents of the scheme likened it to Mr Blair's pledge to introduce onthespot fines for drunken yobs. The widely ridiculed idea was eventually introduced in a watered-down form as fixedpenalty notices.

Next year child benefit will be incorporated into the new child credit administered by the Inland Revenue, part of Mr Brown's empire.

Launching his proposal in April, Mr Blair said: "No issue matters more to people than anti-social behaviour and street crime ... we must try to make sure that if the state is giving money to these people, there is some responsibility in return."

? In a separate blow to the Government, a move to withdraw housing benefit from antisocial tenants is unlikely to become law through lack of Parliamentary time. MPs will today debate a Private Member's Bill which promises a clampdown on "neighbours from hell", but there is only a week to go before the Commons rises for the summer.