A staggering 57 per cent of Britons are willing to risk a fine to take their children on holiday during term time, a new opinion poll has revealed.
Schools will need to adhere to fresh guidance to centralise rules across all local authorities.
The update, which created a national framework, was officially launched in August.
Fines for school absences across the country stand at £80 if they are paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days.
The figure is in line with inflation and marks the first increase since 2012.
Parents can receive a second fine for the same child within any three-year period for repeated absences.
Repeated absences will incur a charge at the higher rate of £160.
However, repeated absences have been capped to just two fines.
A parenting order or prosecution could follow in such circumstances.
An empty classroom
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Prosecutions for parents forced to attend court could result in a maximum fine of £2,500.
The money raised looks set to get redistributed to cover the costs of administering the system and fund attendance support.
Any extra cash will go straight back to the Government.
Nearly 400,000 penalty notices were issued in England in 2022/23 for unauthorised school absences.
Two children in school uniform walking
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The figure was much higher than pre-pandemic absence levels.
Almost nine-in-10 fines were dished out for unauthorised absences relating to families searching for cheaper holidays.
Plans to curb absences from schools was first unveiled in Feburary.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, said at the time: “A consistent national framework for fines makes sense.
Would you take your kids out of school during term time? Vote now in the poll above and have your say in the comments section below.
