PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has welcomed a fall in truancy in schools.

The number of pupils classed as persistent absentees has dropped by 39per cent in schools in Lancashire since 2009/2010.

Mr Stephenson said: “Persistent absence from school has a serious effect on children’s performance, and so it is great news that, thanks to this Government’s actions, truancy has massively fallen across the county.”

Education Secretary Michael Gove said: “There is no excuse for skipping school.

“We have taken action to reduce absence by increasing fines, and encouraging schools to address the problem earlier.”

The Government has brought in various measures to tackle problems with attendance, reducing the threshold for what is considered persistent absence by 5per cent, as well as increasing fines, and shortening the time window they should be paid in.