Truancy benefit cuts still on agenda

Docking child benefit from parents who fail to send their children to school remains an option under consideration by the Government, according to Education Secretary Estelle Morris.

Ms Morris made clear that a wave of opposition, including reportedly from some Cabinet ministers, has not blocked plans to use the sanction against parents who make no effort to support teachers.

That opposition continued today with teachers' leaders warning that hitting poor parents in their pockets could prove "a disaster".

There was anger too from head teachers after Ms Morris pointed to the failings of comprehensives and re-stated the Government's determination to "modernise" the system, introducing more diversity into secondary education.

About the benefit proposals Ms Morris said: "I think we have to say to parents that in this society, that is the deal; you make that effort and we have a system of benefits and support to help you."

But Eamonn O'Kane, of the NASUWT union, said: "In the case of single parents ... depriving them of a source of income would be a tremendous injustice."