MPs to hold inquiry into Badman home education review

Prompted partly by complaints from angry home educators, the committee will examine how the government conducted the review and its related consultations.

They will also scrutinise the recommendations made by the review, which was led by former director of children's services for Kent Graham Badman.

The committee plans to use the findings of its inquiry to influence Parliament debates on the forthcoming School Improvement and Safeguarding Children Bill, which is expected later this year.

Proposals to improve monitoring arrangements for children educated at home will form a key element of the bill.

Fiona Nicholson, trustee of the home education charity Education Otherwise, accused the government of rushing the Badman review.

She said: "In proposing massive new legal responsibilities for local authorities, it seems only sensible for the government to pause and reflect on the nature of the recommendations in the Badman report, which will fundamentally change the relationship between the state and all children, not just children who are educated at home."