Alan Johnson has outlined plans to improve the "shocking" life chances for children in care.

Briefing MPs on the government's green paper on the issues, the education secretary set out a range of measures

The focus was on plans to stop them being repeatedly moved between foster homes.

And there is to be a new power for local authorities to direct schools to admit children in care even when the school is already full.

There will also be an expectation that councils should place children in care in the best schools.

Ofsted will carry out regular inspections of how local authorities are meeting the education needs of the children they are responsible for.

Johnson also gave his backing to a £2,000 bursary to enable young people to go to university.

And child trust funds would be boosted with an extra £100 for each year a child is in care.

"The mark of a decent society is how it treats its most vulnerable people," said the cabinet minister.

"Children in care already face a tougher life than any child should have to.

"As a proxy parent, the state must raise its ambitions for these children, just as a good parent would, and transform their life chances through better emotional, practical and financial support at home and in the classroom."

He added: "Those who already devote their lives to helping children and young people in care deserve nothing less than the highest praise.

"But despite their efforts, the outcomes for children in care are still shocking.

"The proposals in this green paper build on what we have achieved and what we have learned.

"Systems will be strengthened, accountability improved, support better structured – in and out of school.

"We have a chance to really address some serious issues at the very core of education and social exclusion; it is not a chance we can afford to miss."