School absences

That this House notes with concern the impact of low school attendance on pupils' futures; acknowledges the significant effect of covid-19 on overall absence rates, which have increased by 57% since 2015; further notes with alarm that 26.5% of secondary school pupils in West Berkshire were persistently absent in 2023; recognises the detrimental consequences of high absence rates on children’s educational achievements and future opportunities; calls on the Government to prioritise addressing the underlying causes of poor attendance, including the role of poor mental health; and urges the Government to take action to reduce inequalities in school attendance across different socioeconomic groups.