Action against 'thieving' parents

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Parents who make fraudulent or misleading applications are denying other children of their "rightful place", Ian Craig said.

Under current rules, parents have "nothing to lose" by lying, as the worst that can happen is they will have the school place withdrawn, he said.

Dr Craig has published the results of an inquiry, ordered by Children's Secretary Ed Balls, into the scale of fraudulent or misleading applications to schools.

It recommends that parents who are found to have won a place by deception should not have priority over other children if and when they have younger children applying to the school.

The inquiry also says that "additional sanctions" are needed, "probably through the courts", suggesting parents could face criminal proceedings.

But at a press conference, Dr Craig appeared to distance himself from this, saying he now believes this would be difficult to do.

"I'm not persuaded that it's a sensible action at this time," he said.

Dr Craig added: "The majority of parents are honest, if the dishonest few deprive the honest majority of their rightful places, that is a form of theft."

Dr Craig said that a survey of 123 local authorities had revealed that action had been taken against around 1,100 parents who made dishonest applications in the last year.