record number of parents in Hillingdon faced fines last year for taking their children out of school without permission, according to newly released figures. The sharp increase in penalties has raised questions over the effectiveness of the Government’s approach to tackling unauthorised absences.
Data from the Department for Education shows that 1,379 penalty notices were issued in Hillingdon during the last academic year, almost doubling the 700 issued in 2022-23. This marks the highest recorded figure for the borough since data collection began in 2009-10.
The majority of these fines—1,305 notices, or 95%—were linked to families taking holidays during term time. Nationally, there were 487,344 penalty notices issued for unauthorised absences in 2023-24, representing a 22% rise from the previous year. The majority of cases across England were also related to term-time holidays.
New penalties introduced in September have made fines even tougher. The charge for unauthorised absences has increased from £60 to £80, with repeat offences within a three-year period resulting in a £160 fine.
In Hillingdon, 894 of the fines were paid, while 453 were withdrawn before prosecution.
Effectiveness of Fines Under Scrutiny
The significant rise in fines has sparked debate over whether financial penalties are the right approach to improving school attendance. Some believe that fines alone do not address the reasons behind term-time absences and that a broader strategy may be required.
There is also concern about the financial burden placed on families, particularly as holiday prices tend to rise dramatically during school holidays. Some parents have opted to take the fine rather than pay higher costs associated with peak travel periods.
The increasing cost of travel continues to be a driving factor behind unauthorised absences. With families facing financial pressures, the decision to take children out of school remains a difficult one. As penalties reach record levels, the issue of term-time absences remains a complex and unresolved challenge.
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