Blunkett attacks pupil fines plan

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A new Education and Skills Bill, confirmed in the Queen's Speech on Tuesday, will require children to stay in education until the age of 18.

Teenagers who refuse to stay on face spot fines of £50 or court fines of £200. Parents could also be fined.

"I'm against the idea... that deeply damaged young men and women could somehow be fined and it would make them go into education or training. I think it's cloud-cuckoo land," Mr Blunkett told BBC Radio 4's Any Questions.

Mr Blunkett, who was education secretary from 1997 to 2001, said he agreed that education or training should continue to the age of 18 but said fines for those who do not comply would be misguided.

He said it was important to work with young teenagers who truant because they feel alienated and offer them one day a week in college or work.

Those aged 16 and 17 should be offered the chance to volunteer and engage in projects which have "nothing to do with traditional college courses", he added.

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said the plans were not about "forcing" young people to stay in full-time school or college education - there would also be the option to take part in work-based learning, apprenticeships or one day a week part-time education or training if they were employed or volunteering more than 20 hours a week.

He said: "We will provide an excellent universal offer of support to all teenagers and break down barriers preventing them from participating in training or education - fines will be very much a last resort.

"Along with new rights for young people to access education and training, we will provide high quality advice and guidance to help them make the right choices, financial support to those who need it and a wider range of courses and qualifications covering the practical and academic skills that universities, colleges and employers want."