(31. August 2006)

And one think tank suggested it was almost „genetic determinism“ to suggest children could turn out to be troublemakers before they were born.

Mr Blair told BBC News his government had made „massive progress“ in tackling social exclusion but there was a group of people with multiple problems.

There had to be intervention „pre-birth even“, he said.

Families with drug and alcohol problems were being identified too late, said Mr Blair.