Stark benefits warning for parents who let their children play truant
Families could see their benefits removed as part of a rigorous post-Covid drive to get kids back in the classroom
Parents have been warned that they could face being stripped of their child benefit if they fail to make their children attend school. But this could be dire news for families struggling with the rising cost of raising children amid the cost of living crisis.
The warning comes from Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove, who believes that stripping child benefit could help restore 'an ethic of responsibility' and is calling for the previously scrapped plan to be reconsidered.
Speaking at an Onward think tank event at the end of February 2023, Michael Gove said: "We need to – particularly after Covid – get back to an absolute rigorous focus on school attendance, on supporting children to be in school. It is often the case that it is truanting or persistent absenteeism that leads to involvement in anti-social behaviour.
"So one of the ideas that we floated in the coalition years, which the Liberal Democrats rejected, is the idea that if children are persistently absent then child benefit should be stopped. I think what we do need to do is to think radically about restoring an ethic of responsibility."
However, it is not known if Michael Gove’s policy will come into force, and Downing Street has said it is not aware of plans to change or alter current policy.
What are the current consequences of letting your child miss school?
If parents allow their children to miss school without a valid reason, such as illness, local authorities do have options to enforce attendance, according to the Department for Education’s guidance.
- Parenting orders aim to encourage and support parents in getting their children back into school.
- Education Supervision Orders, which give the local authority a formal role in advising, helping and directing the pupil and parent(s) to ensure the pupil receives an efficient, full-time, suitable education.
- Penalty notices (or fines) may also be issued in order to deal with persistent truancy.
Plan to strip benefits to tackle truancy heavily criticised
But while Michael Gove’s plan aims to encourage children back into school, those opposed think it is counterproductive.
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: “It is very hard to see how consigning children to poverty and starvation will improve their school attendance.
“Persistent absence can only be successfully tackled by offering help, not punishment. What is needed are more support services and resources for schools to work with families and to refer to when there are issues.”
Sarah is GoodtoKnow’s Consumer Writer & Money Editor and is passionate about helping mums save money wherever they can - whether that's spending wisely on toys and kidswear or keeping on top of the latest news around childcare costs, child benefit, the motherhood penalty. A writer, journalist and editor with more than 15 years' experience, Sarah is all about the latest toy trends and is always on the look out for toys for her nephew or Goddaughters so that she remains one of their favourite grown ups. When not writing about money or best buys, Sarah can be found hanging out with her rockstar dog Pepsi, getting opinionated about a movie or learning British Sign Language.
-
These 20 baby names have plummeted in popularity, data shows - and there's a surprising royal name on the list (but would you still choose it?)
Data has revealed the baby names that have plummeted in popularity since 2011. Can you guess which royal moniker is on the list?
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Child therapist reveals why you should never say ‘it’s just a game’ to your kids when they get angry online gaming - and shares the best way to calm them down
It might even be a 'good thing' that they're angry about their gaming experience
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
25% of Brits regularly hide purchases from their partner, according to new research - try these 5 tips to open up the money conversation
If you struggle to talk to your partner about your financial situation, try these five tips to get the conversation started
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Working parents of children from 9 months old will be able to apply for 15 hours free childcare from this date - here's everything you need to know
The government has announced when the application window for 15 hours free childcare from nine months old will open
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Working mothers earned 43% less than fathers in 2023 - is now the time to end the motherhood penalty for good?
New analysis shows that working mothers are still earning less than fathers as they juggle parenting and their work life
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Save up to £60 per person on days out with the kids to Alton Towers, Cadbury World and more, in the Merlin Annual Pass sale
With school holidays fast approaching, and parents scrambling for cost-effective days out with the family, the Merlin sale is well-timed
By Sarah Handley Published
-
What does the child benefit shake up announced in the Spring Budget mean for your family? Here's everything we know
Changes have been announced to the child benefit system that could leave half a million families better off
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Millennial parents, if you get your financial advice on social media here are 5 things to check to avoid 'misinformation' (and it's worth teaching your kids too)
Recent report shares shocking statistics on misleading financial information on social media - here's how you can fact check money advice on your social feed
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Cash-strapped millennials are set to become the richest generation in history, according to new report, (but it'll take about 20 years)
This would demonstrate a marked shift for millennial parents as they currently struggle to make ends meet amongst high living costs
By Sarah Handley Published
-
Money is the biggest co-parenting worry for divorced parents, according to new research - here's what else made the list
A recent survey has shone a light on the biggest co-parenting worries divorced parents face, from money to differing parenting styles
By Sarah Handley Published