Parents not put off by fines for holidays during school term time, research finds
School fines cheaper than peak holiday fares, say parents
- Fines for taking children out of school during term time for holidays are not deterring UK parents, as the savings from off-peak travel often outweigh the penalty.
- New research indicates that a third of parents plan to take their children out of school for a holiday this year, with one in five doing so specifically to avoid peak summer travel costs.
- Parents have collectively paid at least £41 million in fines since 2022, yet a separate study found average savings of £567 by travelling during term time, with some families saving over £1,000.
- The current fine of £60 per child will increase to £80 by August.
- Parents will then face a £160 fine for a second offence within three years, and potential court action for repeated non-payment or absences.