Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high

"A record 459,288 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% in 2024-25 when compared with the previous year, and accounted for 93% of all fines issued for unauthorised school absence. It is the first set of data issued 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."

"The government says fines "have a vital place in our system" and that term-time holidays can affect entire classes due to missed learning. The region with the highest rate of penalty notices, Yorkshire and the Humber, saw a slight drop to 103 per 1,000 enrolled pupils in the latest data, while London, which has the lowest rate, saw a slight increase to 36 per 1,000 pupils. Fines are issued by individual councils, which has historically led to variation in the rate of fines issued in different local authority areas."

"Dozens of people have contacted the BBC via Your Voice, as the number of holiday fines issued to families since the pandemic continues on an upward trajectory. Chris, 42, an RAF officer from Staffordshire, said working in the military means he has been unable to go away with his family during the regular school holidays. In June 2025, he took his children Oliver and Emily, then 10 and six, out of school for five days for a holiday to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt."

A record 459,288 school holiday fines were issued in England in 2024-25, a 4% increase on the previous year. Term-time holiday fines made up 93% of all unauthorised absence fines. Rule changes in 2024 raised each fine from 60 to 80 per parent, per child. The government states fines are necessary and warns term-time holidays disrupt whole classes. Yorkshire and the Humber had the highest penalty rate, 103 per 1,000 pupils, while London had the lowest at 36 per 1,000. Councils issue fines individually, producing wide local variation. Families say fines can be costly; some parents successfully appeal.

Read at www.bbc.com