Parents of truants to have child benefit docked
There is nothing responsible about allowing your child to go without an education
Parents who allow their children to skip school will face stricter punishments under new rules to be announced by the Prime Minister today.
David Cameron has told Good Morning Britain strict new truancy regulations will ensure children in the UK are getting the best education.
Parents who allow their children to skip school and avoid paying the fine will now have it docked from their child benefit.
Mr Cameron told Good Morning Britain: ''If you don't attend school regularly, you get a less good education, and you get worse results.
''As a result your job prospects are much, much worse. As a result your life chances and the opportunities you have to make the most of your talents are severely reduced.''
Last year, more than 16,000 people were prosecuted over their child's truancy.
Currently around 40 per cent of those fined fail to pay each year.
Parents who fail to pay truancy fines within 28 days will have their child benefits docked or will be pursued through the courts.
The new truancy rules are part of wider measures which the Prime Minister says will focus on children's education.
''We are also determined to tackle the harm truancy does to a child's chances in life,'' Mr Cameron is set to tell the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester.
''There is nothing responsible about allowing your child to go without an education.''