Government statistics reveal an increase in absence rates over time, the education select committee states, launching its investigation.
In the autumn term of 2021, the most recent period for which data is available, 24 per cent of pupils were classed persistently absent – meaning that missed 10 per cent of lessons or more.
This is an increase of 13 percentage points compared with the 2018/19 academic year.
Robin Walker, committee chair, said: “We must look urgently at ways to reverse this damaging trend that appears to have worsened during the pandemic.”
According to the statistics, disadvantaged pupils are more likely to miss school.
In autumn 2021, 34 per cent of pupils who were eligible for free school meals were persistently absent compared with 20 per cent of those who were not.
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