Home educators hit back at Balls over Ishaq case

Home education charity, Education Otherwise have hit back at the claim, arguing that Birmingham social services were at fault for not following up on concerns that were raised when Khyra was de-registered from her mainstream school.

In his statement the Children's Secretary said: "The trial has demonstrated, and statements from the police, confirm that home education was a factor in this case."

But Education Otherwise trustee Fiona Nicholson argued: "For anyone to blame home education is a red herring designed to distract attention from Birmingham's lamentable child protection record."

The disagreement comes during the government's campaign for home educators to be registered with local authorities. Balls has used the case as evidence of the need for this legislation.

The Children, Schools and Families Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, will see the introduction of a registration system for home  educators.

But Education Otherwise spokeswoman Ann Newstead says such a scheme would not have prevented Khyra's death. "It is ludicrous to suggest extra legislation such as proposed by this government would have made a difference.

"The only reason I can see for this case to be linked to with home education is for pure political gain with no regard for the facts."

The home education reforms set out in the Children Schools and Families Bill, puts forward the recommendations of Graham Badman whose review into home education was published in June last year.