Whatever you think about the High Court overthrowing the Isle of Wight Council's decision to fine and prosecute dad Jon Platt for taking his seven-year-old daughter on holidays to Disney World in term time, it throws up an interesting dilemma for local authorities.

What is the line between the state's responsibility for children versus their parents? Too often authorities assume they know best and over-reach into the private sphere, leading to some ludicrous situations.