In Hertfordshire, the imposed fines on parents for taking their children on holiday have increased by 3800%. These fines have more than doubled over the past two years. Families are stretched thin, reaching holiday priced vacations when kids are off school. Consequently, more families are taking holidays during term time, resulting in an increase in Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs).
During the 2024-25 academic year, the local authority accrued over £240,000 in fines. This is a huge increase from the £106,000 of revenue funding they got in 2023-24. This positive fiscal trend underscores how meaningful regulatory enforcement can clear the air and benefit communities. Parents may no longer remove their children for a week’s vacation without incurring fines.
Under the current rules, parents are hit with an £80 fine when receiving the first Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) per child. That’s up from £60 in 2023-24 school year. Break the rules again within a three-year period, and brace yourself for the hammer to fall. The penalty will be increased to £160 for every child in violation. This shift in policy has put many families in a difficult position of having to choose between family vacations and their children’s valuable educational commitment.
Until now, fines were only imposed after 15 unexcused half-day absences. The recent changes have indeed come in to make the planning of holidays more stringent. As a result, families now have an increased risk of incurring penalties.
Deborah Price reported on this burgeoning crisis for the Local Democracy Reporting Service. She pointed to the impact of changing parental behaviour as the price of school holiday trips keeps increasing. Millions of families are likely teaching their children lessons in practicality as family budgets make vacations unaffordable or impractical at peak travel times.
In light of these developments, a spokesperson from Hertfordshire County Council stated, “We are sure that the parents of Hertfordshire want the best education for their children.” They further emphasized the importance of school attendance by adding, “By taking family holidays during the school holiday periods, the parents of Hertfordshire will be supporting their children’s full school attendance, learning and development.”
Thousands of parents face being fined for taking family holidays during term time. As demand grows for these programs between family time and educational responsibilities, this begs the question of what many families in the region are risking.
