EAST Devon MP Hugo Swire has presented a petition on behalf of constituents who are concerned with a report about home education for children.

The petition signed by 69 people voiced fears over the Badman Report, which reviews whether there are any barriers to local councils and public agencies making safety checks on children taught at home.

"I share many of the concerns of those who home educate their children, about the direction the review has taken," said Mr Swire.

He was disappointed the Government had decided to implement some of the more controversial recommendations of the report in the Children, Schools and Families Bill.

He said: "Many parents now decide to educate their children at home because they are not satisfied with the quality of education or standard of behaviour at their local school, and for other reasons.

"Many home educators make huge sacrifices, forgo income, put careers on hold and battle bureaucracy to provide the education they want for their children. Such commitment is admirable.

"Proposals to require all home educators to register annually and be subject to annual visits from local authority officials is a heavy handed approach.

"I believe a more collaborative relationship between local authorities and home educators would be more effective in delivering these objectives than the confrontational approach proposed in the bill."