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CAMPAIGNERS HAVE CALLED THE RULES 'PUNITIVE' AS PARENTS WEIGH UP THE COST OF FINES AGAINST THE EVER-INCREASING COST OF A FAMILY HOLIDAY LIAM RYDER Digital Production Editor 04:00,

21 May 2025 The campaign against fines for parents who take their children out of school to go on holiday has reached a major milestone. Parents are often caught between a rock and a hard

place when to comes to booking a family holiday. During the school breaks at summer, Christmas, Easter and half-terms, the cost of going away with children can sky-rocket. Increased prices

during these peak times by airlines, hotels, holiday parks, and entertainment providers mean saving every penny counts for hard-up families. But because taking a child out of school means

facing a fine from local authorities, parents often have to weigh up which of these options would mean a bigger hit to the wallet. Under national rules, all schools are required to consider

fining parents when a child has missed the equivalent of 10 days for unauthorised absences. In August 2024, the cost of the fines increased for the first time since 2012. It means that the

fine is £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. However, this fine can be issued per parent, per child, leaving a family of four or bigger with massive costs. Article

continues below The huge price of taking children out of school to go on holiday has sparked a significant national movement, with a campaign to abolish the fines for up to 10 days gathering

pace. A petition titled ‘Allow parents to take their children out of school for up to 10 days fine free’ now has more than 150,000 signatures on the Government petition website. As such, it

now has to be debated by Parliament. The petition, which had 151,652 signatures at the time of writing, has so far been waiting for 70 days for a debate date. The petition states: “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!” However, the Government issued a response back in December 2024. The official reply indicates

that the Government “sympathise(s) with parents who, for a variety of reasons, face barriers to securing their children’s school attendance.” Article continues below The reply says the

Government is committed to “working with schools and local authorities to tackle barrier to school attendance”. However, it says it “takes seriously” the legal responsibility of parent to

send their children to school “every day that they can”. The reply adds: “On holidays in particular, we understand that some parents wish to avoid peak periods. However, the school year is

structured in such a way as to provide plenty of time throughout the year for holidays outside of term-time, and schools also have considerable flexibility to plan term dates themselves, and

hold inset days and other occasional days at less busy times of the year.”