School holiday fines climb despite growing backlash

The number of fines issued to families across the West Midlands for taking children out of school during term time has almost doubled in five years, according to BBC analysis.

Councils in the region issued 59,440 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) for unauthorised holiday absences in the 2024-25 financial year, compared with 30,143 in 2018-19.

BBC analysis found every local authority in the West Midlands except Herefordshire recorded an increase in fines during the period.

The figures come amid growing debate over the use of school attendance penalties.

A petition calling for fines linked to school attendance to be scrapped has attracted more than 138,000 signatures, with campaigners describing them as a "stealth tax". The government has rejected those calls, saying fines continue to play a "vital" role in ensuring children attend school.

The rise comes despite complaints from many parents that travelling during school holidays has become increasingly unaffordable.

When asked about the issue at Wildwood Park in Stafford, Yasmin said families were "damned if you do and damned if you don't".

"If you go away in [the] school holidays it costs a fortune. If you take them out of school you'll get hit with a massive fine," she said.

"There needs to be regulation of holiday companies."

Javed, whose children are not yet school age, believes the current system punishes families rather than addressing the cause of the problem.

"I don't think there should be any fines," he said.

"Attack the airline fees, not fine parents who often struggle just to give their children enjoyment."

Ian argued that learning opportunities exist outside the classroom.

"Education doesn't just happen in the classroom," he said.

"There are experiences you can get from going away. Some people can't afford to do that, and the threat of fines on top seems ridiculous."

Harriett, a parent and teacher, said she understood the importance of school attendance but believed the penalties should be reviewed.

"I'd love children to be in school to get the best education possible, but fines need to change," she said.

"I don't think it's fair that parents with multiple children get multiple fines."

If a child of compulsory school age misses a week of school for an unauthorised holiday, councils can issue a fine of £80 per parent. The amount rises to £160 if it is not paid within 21 days.

To illustrate the financial pressures facing families, the BBC compared the cost of a popular package holiday during and outside school holidays.

A one-week all-inclusive break for two adults and two children in Tenerife, flying from Birmingham Airport during the October half-term, was priced at £4,535.

The same holiday, departing the previous week during term time, cost £2,997, a saving of more than £1,500.

A family taking two school-age children out of lessons for a week could face fines totalling £320. Even after accounting for the penalties, the term-time trip would still cost £1,218 less than travelling during the school holiday period.

Some education leaders argue the situation highlights wider issues in the travel industry.

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said attendance remained crucial for children's education but questioned whether fines alone were changing behaviour.

"Just missing one day can have a massive impact," he said.

"This can play a big part in the performance of that student."

He called on ministers to work more closely with airlines and travel companies to address sharp price rises during peak holiday periods.

"Fines simply aren't working," he said.

"Parents are being targeted and they're the ones paying the brunt for excessive profits in the travel industry.

"Schools are having to pay the price. Head teachers are left feeling like the bad guys in the middle."

BBC analysis of available council data found the largest percentage increase in fines occurred in Stoke-on-Trent, where numbers rose from 671 in 2018-19 to 3,128 in 2024-25, an increase of 366%.

Birmingham recorded the largest rise by volume, with the number of fines issued increasing from 3,570 to 12,791 over the same period.

Herefordshire was the only local authority in the region to issue fewer fines than five years ago, recording a fall of 2%.

All three councils were approached for a response.

A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said "every day in school matters" and children were expected to attend on the 190 days a year schools are open.

However, they said: "We know some families face genuine barriers, so in Birmingham our approach is support first, listening, understanding and supporting schools to help families overcome those barriers."

They also said the council followed current Department for Education guidance over school absences and there was "no entitlement to take a child out of school for a holiday during term time".

"Where a term-time holiday is not authorised, the absence is recorded as unauthorised and a penalty notice may be considered," they added.

Campaigners behind the parliamentary petition argue record numbers of penalties show the policy is not working and say families are being unfairly punished.

However, the Department for Education (DfE) said school absences place "the burden on teachers to support missed learning and affect the entire class".

A spokesperson added: "Fixed penalty notices continue to have a vital place in our system, so everyone is held accountable for ensuring children are in school."

The government says, in most cases, schools and local authorities will try to provide support to help improve a child's attendance – but if this is ineffective, or the absence is for an unauthorised term-time holiday, parents may face a fine.

According to DfE guidelines issued in August 2024:

• Schools must consider fines if a child misses five or more days unauthorised
• Fines cost £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days, per parent per child
• If a parent gets a second fine for the same child in three years, it costs £160 immediately
• For a third unauthorised absence, other action like prosecution is considered, which could result in a fine of up to £2,500, or a jail sentence of up to three months
• Money from fines is paid to the local authority

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