The Education Secretary has vowed to tackle persistent absenteeism of children “head on” in a drive to “escape the quicksand of disadvantage”.
Nadhim Zahawi will say the pupils who lose out the most from not being in school are likely to be vulnerable, disadvantaged and “cope least”.
Ahead of the spending review later this month, the minister will pledge to “not stop making the case for investing in children and young people”.
His commitment will come in a speech to head teachers on Saturday.
Mr Zahawi will say: “Another key priority for me will be getting to the root of what is causing children to be persistently absent and then tackling it head on.
“Because the children who lose out the most from not being in school are likely to be the ones who can cope least, the vulnerable, the disadvantaged. You can’t help them if they aren’t there.
