Some white working class boys are so far behind classmates they should get special treatment like traveller children and the disabled, says the equalities and human rights commission.

It says there has been an inconsistent response to the Public Sector Equality Duty which was imposed on public authorities to combat inequalities between different ethnic groups from schools to police and health.

It now wants the Government to introduce new regulations which would require ministers and public bodies to set out clear objectives and action plans to reverse the biggest inequalities in their areas.

In education it cites attainment gaps and high exclusion rates among “children sharing certain protected characteristics including boys, disabled children and gypsy and traveller children.”

A commission spokeswoman said: “Attainment is an issue particularly for white boys on free school meals or from disadvantaged backgrounds whereas exclusion rates are higher for Gypsy, Roma, Traveller boys and black boys.”