School holiday fines spike under tougher measures
Getty ImagesA council has defended its "very strict" stance on children being taken on holiday during school time following a spike in fines.
The number of penalties handed out in Newcastle for unauthorised school absences due to holidays was 60 times higher in 2024 than 2022- rising to 2,365 fines from just 40.
Newcastle City Council's assistant director of education Mark Patton said school leaders "have taken a very clear and rational line in Newcastle and have been very strict", even though the stance had "not been popular at all" with parents.
The total revenue generated from such fines in the city was £116,560 last year.
In August, the Government increased the minimum fine from £60 to £80 in England, which doubles to £160 if not paid within 21 days.
A second offence within a three-year rolling period can result in a further £160 penalty, while a third can lead to prosecution with a potential fine of up to £2,500 or a jail sentence of up to three months.
Addressing the council's audit and standards committee on Tuesday, Mr Patton said school is the best place for children to be during term time "where they will be learning and developing".
"You only have 180 days of that a year and you need to be in school," he said.
"That is the line we have taken and it is working. It has not been popular at all, we do get complaints from families and headteachers get complaints too.
"But we are really clear that this is the line we have to follow."
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Patton said the latest school data showed an "improving picture" with better attendance in the autumn term of 2024 compared to 2023.