Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department has made an estimate of the number of children missing education.

The Department collects data on children missing education, which means those who are not registered at school or otherwise receiving suitable education, from Local Authorities on a voluntary basis. The latest figures can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/children-missing-education.

On census day in spring 2023, Local Authorities reported an estimated 24,700 children missing education. This figure includes adjustments made for non response and is based on a figure of 23,100 reported by 92% of Local Authorities.

Local Authorities identified an estimated 94,900 children missing education at some point during the 2021/22 academic year. This figure includes adjustments made for non response and is based on a figure of 83,600 reported by 86% of Local Authorities.