​Parents Could Be Fined £1,000 Per Child For Term-Time Holidays

Parents could be slapped with heavier fines for removing their child from school during term-time to go on holiday under new council plans.

Lancashire County Council reportedly proposes issuing penalties of £1,000 per child, per parent.

Currently, parents in the area face a fixed penalty of £120 per child for taking children out of school for holidays while term is in session.

According to the Sun, the county has seen more term-time holiday penalty noticed issued than almost every other council.

However, the proposed new fine would mean a two-parent, two-child household could face a fine of £4,000.

Last week, parents of children at Balladen Community Primary School in Rossendale, Lancashire, were reportedly warned of the potential changes in a letter from head teacher Sara Richardson.

While Richardson advised parents the change was still in 'pilot' stage, she explained the system could come into effect at any given time.

According to the Sunday Times, the letter said: "Lancashire County Council is currently trialling a new system for dealing with unauthorised holidays and breaks during term time.

"This involves an increase in the financial penalty to parents of up to £1,000 per parent per child.

"This system is still at the pilot stage but please be aware this may come into effect at any stage."

PA

Many people have taken to social media to criticise the proposed plan from Lancashire County Council.

One person tweeted: "If the prices to go weren't almost 3x as high in school holidays parents wouldn't do it."

Another wrote: "Oh well done for making even more families struggle to pay bills, parents condemned for trying to bring some deserved enjoyment and family time into their kids' lives."

A third added: "So poor people who manage to find the money to give their child a holiday when it's cheaper out of term time, won't be able to give their kids a holiday at all."

But others agreed with the proposed higher fine, with one person commenting: "I don't think parents truly understand taking their kids out of school in term day has a effect on their learning. They are missing out important part of their schooling I've never taken mine out of school as that comes first."

Councillor Susie Charles, who is cabinet member for children and schools, said: "We are considering any possible action that could be taken in the future to reduce unauthorised absences.

"This is at an early stage."

Topics: News, holidays, UK

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

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