MPs are to debate whether to allow parents to take children out of school for up to 10 days a year without getting a fine. It comes as more than half of parents now say they cannot afford to take a holiday during the summer.
According to research by the campaign group Fight School Fines, package holiday prices can increase by an average of 18% during school holidays, with some destinations seeing price hikes of up to 28% per person. Some families are paying twice and in some case three times the cost of a break by booking within official school holiday time.
A petition calling for all parents to be allowed to take children out of school for 10 days has reached more than 180,000 signatures, meaning it is now being considered for debate in Parliament. The petition reads: “We’re seeking reform to the punitive policy for term time leave that disproportionately impacts families that are already under immense pressure and criminalises parents that we think are making choices in the best interests of their families. No family should face criminal convictions.”
It adds: “We are calling for reform of legislation on taking children out of school urgently.”
More than half of UK families now say they are willing to take their children out of school during term time to secure a cheaper holiday, according to a new survey on family summer savings. The research from Park Christmas Savings found just under half of UK families cannot afford a holiday this summer due to increased costs in travel, household bills and childcare.
More than a third say they have lied to cover-up their cost-cutting decision to get a more affordable family break. Three quarters of families said childcare should be free in the summer holidays to help take burden off families with working parents.
Amy Peebles, personal finance expert at Park Christmas Savings, said: “Affordable, flexible childcare and crippling costs have put UK households under enormous pressure. It means that a well-earned family break is becoming impossible for the majority.
443,322 school holiday fines were issued in England last year, according to the Department for Education (DfE) – a 24% rise on the year before, and are three times higher than in 2016-17.
In August last year, first time fines for taking a child out of school were hiked to £80. The rules mean schools have to consider a fine if a child misses five or more days.
The £80 fine increases to £160 if it is not paid with 21 days. A second fine for the same child will automatically be £160.
If a child is taken out of school for a third time then parents can be prosecuted – facing fines of up to £2,500.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We need a national effort to tackle the epidemic of school absence”. She said: “When children miss school unnecessarily, all children suffer, as teachers’ attention is diverted to helping them catch back up, and we will not apologise for ensuring every child is in school accessing high and rising standards so they can achieve and thrive.”