These places have the highest rates of unauthorised absence fines (Image: National World/Adobe Stock)These places have the highest rates of unauthorised absence fines (Image: National World/Adobe Stock)
These places have the highest rates of unauthorised absence fines (Image: National World/Adobe Stock) | National World/Adobe Stock

The 21 worst areas in England for school absence fines - as new 'term time holiday' changes come into play

Amber Allott
By Amber Allott

Education writer

Published 29th Aug 2024, 14:59 BST

More that a dozen councils are handing out a penalty notice for every 10 children on their books 👀

As children across England return to primary or secondary school in the coming days, new rules will be in force that parents considering a holiday soon should to take note of.

The government has increased the amount parents have to pay if their child misses five or more days of school without a valid reason, for the first time since 2012. They will now receive an £80 fine, doubled to £160 if they don’t pay within three weeks - up from the £60 they were originally charged. All schools are now legally required to consider a fine - rather than it being left up to the local authority.

The move appears to be part of a bid to crack down on term-time holidays, which often work out cheaper for families. The Department for Education says that currently, a whopping 89% of fines for unauthorised absence are being issued for children being taken on holiday when they should be at school - which it says is detrimental to their learning and development.

But when is comes to different parts of England, not all city, county, and borough councils are having to dish out fines to parents at the same rate. We’ve taken a look at the local authorities with the highest rates of notices issued compared to how many children are enrolled in local schools, to get a fair idea of which regions have the highest percentage of their student body - and biggest problem - with unauthorised absences.

Here are the 21 local authority areas that came out on top:

The move appears to be part of a bid to crack down on term-time holidays, which often work out cheaper for families. The Department for Education says that currently, a whopping 89% of fines for unauthorised absence are being issued for children being taken on holiday when they should be at school - which it says is detrimental to their learning and development.

Next up is Bradford, in West Yorkshire. In the last academic year, its council issued a whopping 12,519 penalty notices. I has nearly 87 thousand enrolments, however, giving it a rate of 14.5%.

5. Bradford

Next up is Bradford, in West Yorkshire. In the last academic year, its council issued a whopping 12,519 penalty notices. I has nearly 87 thousand enrolments, however, giving it a rate of 14.5%. | National World/Yorkshire Post Newspapers

In the East of England, Luton is next on the list. In the last academic year, its borough council issued a whopping 5,412 penalty notices for its 37.5 thousand enrolments - giving it a rate of 14.4%.

6. Luton

In the East of England, Luton is next on the list. In the last academic year, its borough council issued a whopping 5,412 penalty notices for its 37.5 thousand enrolments - giving it a rate of 14.4%. | Adobe Stock

Back up to the North West, Greater Manchester's Oldham is next on the list. In the last academic year, its council issued 5,636 penalty notices for its 40.5 thousand enrolments - giving it a rate of 13.9%.

7. Oldham

Back up to the North West, Greater Manchester's Oldham is next on the list. In the last academic year, its council issued 5,636 penalty notices for its 40.5 thousand enrolments - giving it a rate of 13.9%. | Adobe Stock

Tameside is next on the list, yet another borough of Greater Manchester. In the last academic year, its council issued 4,296 penalty notices for its 34 thousand enrolments - giving it a rate of 12.6%.

8. Tameside

Tameside is next on the list, yet another borough of Greater Manchester. In the last academic year, its council issued 4,296 penalty notices for its 34 thousand enrolments - giving it a rate of 12.6%. | Adobe Stock

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