Record number of school holiday fines issued in England

A record number of school holiday fines were issued in England last year, according to new figures from the Department for Education (DfE).

The number of term-time holiday fines rose by 4% year on year in 2024-25 to 459,288, and accounted for 93% of all fines issued for unauthorised school absence.

The figures are the first set of data which includes a change in the rules on holiday fines from 2024, which increased the value of each fine from £60 to £80 per parent, per child.

Families can save thousands of pounds by taking holidays during the school term, because they avoid peak prices, but teachers warn that the impact on children’s learning can be severe.

More: Rising fines ‘not a deterrent’ to term-time family holidays [September 2024]

Dozens of people contacted the BBC about why they took their kids on holiday during term time.

RAF officer Chris told the BBC that working in the military means he has been unable to go away with his family during the regular school holidays.

He was fined by Staffordshire County Council, but managed to appeal against it, thanks in part to a letter from his bosses in the military, reported the broadcaster.

Lucy from East Sussex is currently on holiday in Lanzarote with her husband and their three children and told the BBC that – as a farming family – January is the only time of year they can take time off.

Darren Morgan, head teacher of Manchester’s Kings Road Primary, commented that the impact of missing school can be “quite significant” and lead to gaps in children’s learning.

Fines cost £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days, per parent per child.

If a parent gets a second fine for the same child in three years, it costs £160 immediately.

For a third unauthorised absence, other action such prosecution is considered, which could result in a fine of up to £2,500, or a jail sentence of up to three months.

Money from fines is paid to the local authority.