A NEW report into children missing education has been welcomed by Bury South MP Ivan Lewis.

Mr Lewis, who is the minister for skills and vocational education, said the Government was determined to tackle the causes of children losing out on their education, an issue which had been neglected for decades.

He said: "A report by the crime reduction charity Nacro underlines the need for the comprehensive action which will be delivered through our Children's Green Paper."

He said the Green Paper will deliver radical reform to children's services which will ensure that no child slips through the net. Comprehensive tracking systems will identify children who might be missing out.

He added: "I am concerned for any child that is missing education, whether through truancy, low attainment, or simply missing from the school roll. A good education is crucial to a child's future life chances."