Calls to scrap school attendance fines for term-time holidays are getting louder.
In a recent Westminster debate, triggered by a petition signed by more than 180,000 people, MPs from across the political spectrum argued that the current system is unfair on “law-abiding” families whose children usually have good attendance records.
At the same time, the Government insists that fines remain a necessary tool to tackle what ministers describe as an “absence epidemic” in England’s schools.
So who’s right – and what does this mean for families and schools?
How Do Term-Time Holiday Fines Work?
Under the national framework for penalty notices, introduced in August 2024, schools and local authorities in England must consider issuing a fine when a pupil has:
-
10 or more unauthorised sessions of absence (5 full days) in a rolling 10-school-week period – this includes term-time holidays, persistent lateness and other unauthorised absence.
-
From August 2024, fines are £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days, with a cap of two fines per parent, per child, in any three-year period.
If a fine is not paid, or if problems continue, parents can face prosecution with fines of up to £2,500 in the most serious cases.
The vast majority of penalty notices – more than nine in ten – are for unauthorised family holidays during term time. In 2023/24, a record 443,300 fines were issued for term-time holidays alone.
What Are MPs Worried About?
The Birmingham-linked debate reported in the article captured the strength of feeling among many families about term-time holiday fines.
1. “Law-abiding parents” being punished
Conservative MP Robbie Moore argued that the parents being fined are often the same families who normally ensure strong attendance and value education. For them, a one-off cheaper holiday can lead to a costly penalty, even when their child’s overall attendance is high.
This fuels a sense that the system is blind to context and treats occasional absence in exactly the same way as persistent truancy.
2. The cost-of-living crisis and “exploitative” travel prices
Several MPs highlighted the role of travel companies in the problem. Holiday prices can soar during official school breaks, leaving many families simply unable to afford a break unless they travel in term time.
Helen Hayes, Chair of the Education Committee, described these price hikes as “exploitative” and argued that the real solution is to tackle unfair pricing, not to punish parents trying to balance budgets and family time.
Labour’s Andrew Cooper stressed that for lower-income families, the fine is an additional financial hit on top of already high holiday costs – exactly the people most likely to be impacted by school absence fines.
3. Family time and common sense
Reform MP Rupert Lowe framed the issue as a question of family autonomy. He suggested schools should support families rather than threaten them, and questioned whether taking children out for a handful of days to spend meaningful time together should really be treated as a near-criminal act.
The Government’s Response: Attendance Comes First
Despite the criticism, ministers have made it clear they do not intend to scrap fines for term-time holidays.
Schools minister Georgia Gould told MPs that England is still facing an attendance crisis, with persistent and severe absence significantly higher than before the pandemic.
She cited research showing that:
-
Just an extra 10 days out of school can halve the chance of achieving a grade 5 in GCSE English and maths, compared with a similar pupil who attends consistently.
-
A child who takes a two-week holiday every year, on top of normal illness and appointments, can end up missing the equivalent of a full year of school by age 16.
From the Government’s perspective, each day of missed learning damages attainment, wellbeing and future earnings – and fines are one part of a wider strategy to send a strong message that being in school matters.
Ministers also emphasise that the national framework is built around a “support-first” approach, with penalty notices used only after other steps have been tried and when absence cannot be justified.
Are Fines Fair and Effective?
This is where the debate becomes more nuanced.
On effectiveness
-
Fines are at record levels, yet severe absence remains high: around 170,000 pupils missed at least half of their lessons in 2023/24, and one in five pupils were persistently absent.
-
Data also shows that around 90% of penalty notices are for holidays, not entrenched non-attendance linked to deeper issues such as mental health or family crisis.
This suggests school attendance fines may be changing behaviour for some families, but they are far from a complete answer to the wider attendance problem.
On fairness
-
Families with stable attendance but limited finances may feel unfairly caught between high holiday prices and the risk of a fine.
-
There is still considerable local variation in how often fines are used, despite the new framework – some councils use them heavily, others hardly at all.
Ultimately, fines remain a blunt instrument. They send a clear signal, but they cannot distinguish between a family taking a rare, carefully planned break and a family disengaged from their child’s education.
What Could a Better Approach Look Like?
Whether or not fines are eventually reformed, there are practical steps schools and families can take now to improve school attendance.
For schools
-
Lead with conversation, not punishment. Early, non-judgemental meetings about attendance – including holiday plans – help build trust and avoid surprises.
-
Be transparent about thresholds. Parents are more likely to cooperate when they understand the national rules and the evidence on attendance and attainment.
-
Offer support first. Use pastoral teams, attendance mentors and external services to tackle underlying problems before reaching for penalty notices.
For parents
-
Talk to school before booking. Explain any exceptional circumstances (family bereavement, SEND needs, work patterns) and explore alternatives or partial-absence arrangements.
-
Factor learning loss into decisions. Term-time holidays can be valuable experiences – but try to minimise disruption around key transition years and exam periods.
-
Know your rights and responsibilities. Children must be in school unless absence is authorised. Understanding the national framework for penalty notices can help you avoid unexpected fines.
So – Should Schools Be Banned from Fining Parents?
The Birmingham debate shows there is growing political pressure to rethink term-time holiday fines, especially in the context of rising travel costs and the cost-of-living crisis.
But with attendance still well below pre-pandemic levels, the Government is unlikely to remove fines altogether. For now, the focus is on making sure they are used fairly, consistently and only after support has been offered.
The real challenge is to move beyond a simple “fine or don’t fine” argument and build a system where:
-
Every child is in school, learning and thriving
-
Families feel supported rather than criminalised
-
Travel companies are challenged to stop exploiting school holiday dates
-
Fines, if used at all, are truly a last resort
That balance – between high expectations and genuine support – is where lasting solutions to the attendance crisis are most likely to be found.