A NEW crackdown on truancy in Southampton schools is to be launched this year.

education chiefs will be given up to £800,000 to reduce truancy and indiscipline in schools across the city.

The cash, from the government's Pupil Support Allocation, is part of a £174 million nationwide package to help fund more sweeps against truancy by police and education welfare officers, who pick up youngsters who should be at school.

The £782,800 in Southampton - half of which must come from the City Council - will also be used to create new schemes to encourage parents to get more involved in stamping out the problem.

It will also pay for learning mentors in schools to help improve pupil attendance and clampdown on bullying.

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham said: "Too many schoolchildren are missing school and cutting their chances of success in life. Some schools are raising attendance levels, but more needs to be done to significantly reduce the 50,000 pupils, nationally, away from school without permission on any given day.

"Southampton will receive £782,800 to help with the crackdown on truancy and this significant investment will allow the local authority and local schools to set up more innovative projects to improve school attendance."

A spokesman for Southampton City Council said: "Always welcome is the allocation of additional funding support in education.

"Last year, Southampton Education Authority was able to find the matching funding of over £250,000 to use the full amount available to promote attendance and good behaviour.

"To use the maximum grant next year, Southampton will have to find £391,000 in matching funding and will be consulting with schools and our partner organisations on how and where the council's existing comprehensive policy can be further supported and improved."