Parents of children who persistently commit crimes or play truant from school could face the loss of child benefit.
The move forms part of a new Government crackdown on juvenile offenders.
A Downing Street spokeswoman says it is one of a series of proposals for cracking down on juvenile crime currently under consideration.
She said: "We are looking at ways of making sure parents face up to their responsibilities. It is one of a number of ideas knocking around."
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The scheme could cost a family with one child £15.75 a week in lost benefit, rising to £17.55 for a lone parent with one child, plus £10.55 for each additional child.
PA