Parent fines for taking children on holiday during school time shot up by almost 30% last year, figures reveal
- Number of parents fined for taking children away during term time rises by 28%
- A total of 333,400 fines were issued in the 2018-19 academic year
- The vast majority were handed out because of unauthorised holidays
The number of parents fined for taking children on holiday during school term time rocketed by 28 per cent last year.
A total of 333,400 fines were issued in 2018-19, up from 260,900 the year before.
The vast majority – 86 per cent – were handed out because of unauthorised holidays.
The vast majority of fines were handed out to parents who took their children away on unauthorised holidays (stock photo)
Just 0.3 per cent were issued for pupils being late and 13 per cent for other unauthorised absences, according to Department for Education figures.
The surge in fines comes after a controversial 2017 test case in the Supreme Court which backed the decision to prosecute a father who took his family on a week’s holiday to Disney World Florida in term-time.
The region with the highest rate of fines per pupil last year was Yorkshire and the Humber at 7.2 per cent.
The lowest was Inner London at just 2.3 per cent. The number of pupils with one or more unauthorised absences rose 4 per cent in 2018-19.
The fine is £60 per child, which rises to £120 if not paid within 21 days.
After 28 days the family may face prosecution.