Parents who fail to ensure their children attend school regularly could have their child benefit payments stopped, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove has suggested.
Speaking at the Onward centre right think tank, Mr Gove said the idea was originally considered by the coalition government under David Cameron but was blocked by the Liberal Democrats.
He suggested that it could now be re-considered as part of a drive to restore “an ethic of responsibility”.
“We need to – particularly after Covid – get back to an absolute rigorous focus on school attendance, on supporting children to be in school,” he said.
“It is often the case that it is truanting or persistent absenteeism that leads to involvement in anti-social behaviour.
