Work continues on plans to withdraw child benefits from parents of persistant truants, Downing Street has insisted.

A report that Tony Blair had decided to shelve the idea amid a clamour of opposition was not correct, a spokesman said.

To talk about the idea being shelved is simply wrong

Downing Street spokesman

The prime minister is said to have been shocked to discover that 80% of school children stopped by police in daytime truancy sweeps were accompanied by an adult.

Cutting benefits would be used to strengthen existing court orders forcing parents to be stricter with children who play truant or commit crimes.

Mr Blair's spokesman said: "Nothing has changed. This is an issue that is being actively looked at.

Old deal?

"Work is going on in government examining the practicalities but the prime minister is absolutely committed to the whole rights and responsibilities agenda.

Mr Brown is rumoured to be less than enthusiastic

"To talk about the idea being shelved is simply wrong. It is being actively looked at."

The spokesman said benefits claimants who resisted the sort of help available to put them back into work via the New Deal, could already lose their benefits.

Misgivings?

Opposition to the idea is said to be voiced around the cabinet table with Chancellor Gordon Brown and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott believed to be among the dissenters.

The Independent newspaper also reported that Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith had misgivings.

His predecessor in the job - Alistair Darling - refused to endorse the idea in an interview when it was first floated.

But the Downing Street spokesman said: "Everybody recognises that the problems of persistent truancy are very real.

"You have kids running amok on housing estates causing very real social problems.

"You have to look at the full range of measures that can be taken to address this."