Majority of parents not deterred by fines for term-time family holidays, survey finds

A majority of parents have revealed that fines for unauthorised wouldn't stop them from pulling their kids out of school for a holiday, according to a recent survey.

The poll by charity found that half of parents are against the policy in England where fines are imposed if a child misses five days of without permission. The survey, which involved nearly 5,500 parents across the UK, discovered that almost three in five (57%) parents have or would consider letting their child skip school for a day or more for a term-time holiday.

The same proportion (57%) of parents stated that the risk of receiving a fine for an unauthorised term-time holiday would not influence their decision to take their child out of school. The YouGov poll was conducted in April and May, just before higher fines for unauthorised pupil absences were introduced in England.

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The same proportion (57%) of parents stated that the risk of receiving a fine for an unauthorised term-time holiday would not influence their decision to take their child out of school. The YouGov poll was conducted in April and May, just before higher fines for unauthorised pupil absences were introduced in England.

School absence fines have now risen from £60 to £80 this academic year as part of a Government initiative to improve attendance post-pandemic. A parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine under the new rules.

The Department for Education (DfE) has warned that other measures, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period, and those who are prosecuted could face a fine of up to £2,500. Nearly one in five parents (18%) have found it more difficult to get their child to attend school compared to before the pandemic, while 31% admitted they've become "more relaxed" about their child’s attendance since Covid-19, according to the survey.

The poll also revealed that one in seven parents (14%) said their child spends seven hours or more a day on electronic devices outside of school during a typical weekday. Around one in 10 parents of primary school age children reported their child spends at least seven hours a day on their phone, tablet or games consoles outside of school on a typical weekday.

In response to these findings, the charity is urging the Government to publish evidence on smartphone harm and introduce a Bill to ban smartphones for children. This comes as Labour MP Josh MacAlister is set to introduce a Private Member’s Bill (PMB) in Parliament this week aimed at protecting children from harms caused by excessive screen time.

Additionally, the charity is calling for the Government to review the marketing and pricing of "rip-off" family holidays, and to include the cost of school in any strategy for reducing poverty. The poll also highlighted that more than one in three parents (34%) are struggling with their finances.

The cost of uniforms and school trips are causing concern for many families, the report suggested. More than one in five parents (21%) have struggled to afford costs associated with sending their child to school – and 11% said they had taken out a loan or taken on debt to pay for these costs.

Some parents say they have skipped meals and rationed the heating to manage their tight budgets. Amelia Beeston, a London-based administrator and mother-of-two, said: "We were aware that having children would require extra costs but there are many things we need to purchase that seem excessive. This means not much money left to enjoy family time together which is so very important."

Jason Elsom chief executive of Parentkind, said: "Many parents are struggling to make ends meet and get children away from their screens, it is no wonder they are tempted by a term-time holiday. We’re calling for a big commitment from ministers to listen to what parents are saying when it comes to making family life cheaper, clamping down on rip-off holiday costs and banning smartphones for children."

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, pointed out the survey's insights into the impact of "twin scourges of financial hardship and addictive digital " on families. He said: "We urgently need the Government’s child poverty taskforce to come up with solutions, and we need much tougher regulation of smartphones. We also wholeheartedly agree with Parentkind’s call for a Government review of rip-off family holidays."

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said: "Ultimately, fines are a blunt tool. Many teachers and leaders are already doing a huge amount to help support children back into school, and attendance figures have started to improve."

"The best way for the Government to tackle the causes behind persistent absence is to fund those services that support both families and schools – which faced devastating cuts under the austerity of the last government."

A government spokesperson said: “Absence rates have risen in recent years which is a major challenge we have inherited, but strong foundations of learning are grounded in attendance in the classroom.

“Tackling absence is everyone’s responsibility. Parents have a legal responsibility to make sure their child is in school, while government is committed to tackling the causes of absence through mental health support in secondary schools, breakfast clubs in all primary schools and inclusive SEND support

“We will also put an end to rip-off uniforms costing families hundreds of pounds, and our child poverty taskforce is looking at longer-term actions to tackle the challenges felt by those living in poverty.”