Overview

• MPs will consider a proposal to exempt parents from fines for up to 10 days of term-time holiday each year.
• More than 180,000 people have signed a petition that triggered the parliamentary debate on relaxing school absence penalties.
• Research by Fight School Fines shows average package holiday costs rise by 18% during school breaks, with some destinations surging by up to 28%.
• Department for Education figures reveal that England saw 443,322 holiday absence fines last year, with penalties starting at £80 and doubling to £160 if unpaid.
• Nearly half of families say they cannot afford a summer trip, more than half would risk term-time absences for cheaper rates and three-quarters support free childcare during school holidays.