The fine for parents of children who take unauthorised time off school is about to go up for the first time in twelve years
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00:00Parents are being warned that taking your child out of school for no good reason during term time
00:05will soon come with a harsher punishment. From August 2024, the fine for school absences across
00:10the country will be £80 if paid within 21 days or £160 if paid within 28 days.
00:17It's the first increase since 2012 and is in line with inflation. At the moment,
00:21the local authority decides upon when to fine parents, meaning the process can vary depending
00:26where you are. However, under the new national framework, all schools will be required to
00:31consider a fine when a child has missed 10 or more sessions, that's five days, for unauthorised
00:36reasons. If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period,
00:42this will be charged at the higher rate. The upping of fines comes after a reported increase
00:47in absenteeism and also homeschooling following the pandemic. But critics of the fixed penalty
00:52notice scheme say the increase won't make a difference as it's still cheaper to book foreign
00:56holidays during term time and that fines disproportionately target lower-income
01:01families. Would it change your decision to take your child out of school?