In the same amount of time parents in Manchester have been hit with an eye-watering £1.4 million in fines. This large figure stems largely from unauthorised absences from establishments. The total value of the fines issued for this period is an eye-watering £1,421,933, impacting more than 20,000 families. This trend only points to the city’s larger, continuing fight to get kids back in school on a daily basis. Significantly, it highlights the economic impact of failure to comply.
From 2022 through 2024, both the monetary amount of fines issued as well as the number of unique fines has drastically increased. In just 2022, schools wrote 5,179 citations, but this figure skyrocketed to 8,138 in just 2024. The initial penalty for truanting in England is set at £80. Fail to pay within three weeks, and the fine doubles to £160. The penalty for the second immediate fine is £160. New rules for the 2023–24 school year cut parents down to a maximum of two fines per child. This rule only extends within a three-year window. Unlike traffic or parking violations, repeated offenses can lead to fatal consequences. Then you risk falling into a cycle of court appearances, potentially leading to fines up to £2,500 or community orders. In some egregious instances, parents could be slapped with a three-month jail sentence.
Julie Reid, executive councillor for children in Manchester, said attendance at school was “crucial.” She stated, “All the evidence points to a clear connection between school attendance and achievement – the more time pupils spend in school, the higher their chances of success.” This proclamation effectively clarifies the council’s role in fostering an environment of educational engagement to all students.
Financial burdens aside, Reid praised efforts of schools to really enforce being together as a community first before starting to fine people. “Before asking the council to issue fines on their behalf, schools work very hard with pupils and parents to try and ensure pupils are in school every day they should be, including working with families to help resolve any barriers that may be getting in the way of this,” she explained.
Last but not least, the Manchester City Council has called on parents to put their children’s education first. A spokesperson stated, “Good attendance at school helps your child reach their full potential. If you’ve any concerns, contact the school – they can offer support and guidance.”
