Pupils living in the 10 per cent most deprived areas of England have on average five more days of unauthorised absence a year than children in more affluent areas, according to figures for the 2006/07 school year.
The statistics also show persistent absentees, who account for one in four absences, are more likely to live in deprived areas. Persistent absentees in rich areas make up less than one per cent of all absences, but those in poor areas account for more than five per cent.
Pupils who are eligible for free school meals also have higher levels of absence on average than their peers in every local authority except Westminster.
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