A Conservative Cabinet minister has warned that parents could have their child benefit stopped if their children skip school. In a move to deter truancy, Michael Gove suggested reviving plans to penalise families by docking the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) administered benefit.
The former Secretary of State for Education was speaking at an event organised by the Onward think tank. Now Levelling Up Secretary, he said the idea, which was originally considered by the coalition government under David Cameron but blocked by the Liberal Democrats, could now be re-considered as part of a move to restore "an ethic of responsibility".
Mr Gove said he believed it was important to ensure pupils were in school. However, teaching unions said targeting benefit payments would be counter-productive and just end up hurting children.
