Burma's new military-backed civilian government - which has embarked on a series of reforms since elections in November 2010 - has pledged to resolve conflicts in border areas with ethnic minority groups.

BBC: Burma ceasefire 'holds' in rebel-held Kachin areas

Ms Davis said that, while she welcomes the debate, successive governments had failed ethnic minority communities by failing to provide youth facilities in deprived areas.

BBC: Entering the 'babyfather' debate

Sir Michael told the annual conference of the National College for School Leadership in Birmingham that he recognised there had been big improvements in areas such as London, and among some ethnic minority groups, in recent years.

BBC: Ofsted to review educational achievement in poor areas