Fines for term time holidays rise 70%
Number of families being fined for taking their children out of school to go on holiday sees dramatic increase in a year
The number of fines for parents who've taken their child out of school for a term time holiday has risen dramatically.
Data from local education authorities shows the number of fines has risen to almost 64,000. That's a 70% increase since the term time ban came into effect in September 2013.
Fines in the Lancashire, West Sussex and Doncaster areas have seen the number of fines more than double by up to 176%, according to a BBC report.
The term time ban has been hugely controversial, with hundreds of thousands of parents – including lots of MFMers – feeling outraged and protesting the decision.
Parents are charged £60 per child per absence and £120 if it’s not paid within 21 days. If parents fail to pay the fine, they can be prosecuted and face paying up to £2500 or spending 3 months in jail.
"It's now becoming the case that family holidays are just for the rich because so many working people either can't afford it or can't get the time off outside school terms,” said one parent, who was fined £180 for taking his 3 children out of school for 5 days.
The Government, however, still stands by the ban.
"As a result of the changes we have implemented, 130,000 fewer pupils are regularly missing lessons, which means 130,000 more pupils getting the chance of a good education that prepares them for life in modern Britain," said a Government spokesperson.
What do you think of these latest figures and the term time holiday ban? Let us know in the comments or write to us on Facebook or Twitter!
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