Skip to contentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.Join todayAlready a member? Log inRebecca WhittakerTuesday 29 September 2026 15:38 BSTFamilies in the UK are fined if they take their children out of school during a term time for holidays (David Jones/PA Wire)More than 138,000 people have signed a petition demanding an end to school attendance fines, arguing they act as a stealth tax on families struggling with high holiday costs.Parents currently face an £80 fine for taking a child out of school for five days without authorisation, which rises to £160 if unpaid after 21 days or for a second offence.A record 459,288 fines were issued during the 2024-25 academic year, marking a four per cent increase compared to the previous year.According to a Parentkind survey, 21 per cent of parents took their children out of school for an affordable holiday, with 28 per cent concealing the real reason for the absence.The Department for Education rejected the petition, insisting that fixed penalty notices play a vital role in ensuring children attend school and influencing parental behaviour.In fullThousands call on government to scrap fines for taking children out of school for holidaysMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in