Parents face £1,000 fines PER CHILD for taking kids out of school for term-time holidays

PARENTS could be fined thousands of pounds for taking their child out of school for holidays during term time.

Lancashire County Council has proposed issuing penalty notices of £1,000 per child per parent if they miss classes due to trips.

It means a two-parent household with two children at the same school could be slapped with a £4,000 fine.

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Currently, parents in the county – which has seen more term-time holiday penalty notices issued than nearly every other council – face a £120 fixed penalty notice per child.

Parents whose children attend Balladen Community Primary School in Rossendale, Lancs, were sent a letter last week warning of the move.

WARNING TO PARENTS

In the letter, seen by The Sunday Times, head teacher Sara Richardson wrote: “Lancashire county council is currently trialling a new system for dealing with unauthorised holidays and breaks during term time.

“This involves an increase in the financial penalty to parents of up to £1,000 per parent per child.

“This system is still at the pilot stage but please be aware this may come into effect at any stage.”

Tory-controlled Lancashire County Council issued 7,575 fines last year, up from 6,876 in 2016-17 – sparking concern the current fining system was not an effective enough deterrent to parents.

Councillor Susie Charles, cabinet member for children and schools, said: “We are considering any possible action that could be taken in the future to reduce unauthorised absences.

“This is at an early stage.”

The council said no firm decision had been taken, the Sunday Times reported.