A parliamentary debate is on the horizon as Members of Parliament prepare to consider proposals that would allow parents to take their children out of school for up to 10 days each academic year without facing financial penalties.
The proposal comes amid growing frustration among families over the steep cost of traveling during official school holidays. Research from the campaign group Fight School Fines highlights that holiday prices surge significantlyâby an average of 18%âduring school breaks. Some popular destinations have seen price spikes of up to 28% per traveler, with families reporting their vacation costs doubling or even tripling when confined to peak periods.
A public petition advocating for this change has now passed the 100,000-signature threshold needed for parliamentary debate. With more than 181,000 supporters, the petition is pushing for urgent legislative reform to give parents greater flexibility.
âThis policy unfairly penalizes families who are already under financial strain and criminalizes parents making decisions they believe are in the best interest of their children,â the petition states. âWe want an immediate review of the laws around term-time leave.â
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In response, the Government acknowledged parentsâ concerns but maintained its stance on school attendance. âWe want every child to succeed in school and will continue to support families and protect the right to education,â a spokesperson said. âWhile we recognize some parents wish to avoid peak pricing, the school calendar offers sufficient time for holidays outside of term-time, and schools already have flexibility in setting term dates and occasional closure days.â
Still, many parents are opting to take their chances. According to a recent Park Christmas Savings survey, over half of UK families are willing to remove their children from school during term-time to secure a more affordable vacation. Nearly half also reported they cannot afford a holiday at all this year due to financial pressures from travel costs, utilities, and childcare. Notably, over a third admitted they have lied to school authorities to mask their efforts to save money.
The survey also found that three-quarters of respondents believe childcare should be offered free of charge during summer holidays to ease the burden on working parents.
Amy Peebles, personal finance specialist with Park Christmas Savings, emphasized how these financial constraints are increasingly making holidays out of reach. âFamilies are under intense financial pressure from every direction,â Peebles said. âChildcare costs, inflation, and limited support have made a simple family break unaffordable for many households.â
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The push for change comes as penalty notices for unauthorized school absences continue to climb. In the 2022â23 school year alone, over 443,000 fines were issued in Englandâa 24% jump from the year prior and more than triple the number recorded in 2016â17.
The fines are currently ÂŁ80 if paid within 21 days but increase to ÂŁ160 if not. Repeat offenses can lead to even harsher penalties, with parents facing prosecution and fines up to ÂŁ2,500 for persistent violations.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has underscored the importance of tackling school absenteeism. âWe need a collective national effort to reverse this trend,â she said. âEvery day missed affects a childâs education, and it diverts teachersâ energy toward helping them catch up. Our goal remains clear: to ensure every student is in class, learning, and reaching their full potential.â
