Education

Parliament debates petition to relax school absence fines amid calls for family-friendly reforms

Monday, 27 October 2025 7:51AM UTC

A widely supported petition with over 180,000 signatures prompts parliamentary debate on easing fines for parents taking children out of school during term time, highlighting concerns over fairness and parental rights.

A petition calling for an end to fines for parents who take their children out of school during term time is set to be debated in Parliament on Monday. The petition, initiated by Natalie Elliott from Ripley, Derbyshire, has garnered substantial support with over 180,000 signatures. It advocates for parents to be allowed up to 10 days of term-time absence without penalty, citing concerns that the current enforcement system is inconsistent and overly punitive.

Natalie Elliott has criticised the existing regulations as ill-suited to the reality many families face. She explained that many parents are being criminalised for legitimate absences due to factors such as illness, bereavement, and funerals. She also highlighted a lack of a clear appeals process for those issued fixed penalty notices, which parents find intimidating and discouraging when trying to communicate legitimate absences with schools. Ms Elliott describes the system as unfair, stating that it currently fails to accommodate the complexities of family life, thereby treating many situations unjustly.

The current system imposes fines starting at £80 for unauthorised absences, increasing to £160 if unpaid within 21 days. Repeated or unresolved cases can lead to court proceedings where fines of up to £2,500 or even custodial sentences of up to three months may be imposed. The Department for Education maintains that poor attendance negatively affects children’s educational prospects and places a burden on teachers, further impacting the whole class. They argue fines are necessary to uphold accountability and encourage regular attendance.

Labour MP Linsey Farnsworth of Amber Valley, who supports the petition, noted the complexities beyond just holiday absences during term time. She described the current approach as inconsistent, leading to what she termed a "postcode lottery" where rules and consequences can vary widely between schools. She expressed interest in exploring a more collaborative and holistic approach to school attendance enforcement that balances fairness with educational priorities.

The debate comes amid multiple similar petitions submitted over recent years, all centering on calls for flexibility and fairness in school absence policies. Many of these highlight issues such as the high costs of holidays during official school breaks, families’ mental health concerns, and the disproportionate impact on working parents who face financial and logistical challenges. Some petitions have also raised questions around the system's compliance with human rights considerations, though several were rejected due to similarity with existing campaigns.

Overall, the discussion reflects a broader national debate about how best to balance children’s educational needs with parental rights and the practical realities of family life. While the government continues to stress the importance of regular attendance and the role of fines in maintaining discipline, there appears to be growing recognition among MPs and the public that the system may need reform to better accommodate diverse family circumstances and reduce undue stress on parents.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] BBC News, ^[2] UK Parliament Petitions
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] BBC News
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] BBC News
Paragraph 4 – ^[1] BBC News
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] BBC News
Paragraph 6 – ^[2], ^[3], ^[4], ^[5], ^[6] UK Parliament Petitions
Paragraph 7 – ^[1] BBC News

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1lqm6l29vyo.amp - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700047 - A petition calling for the government to allow parents to take their children out of school for up to 10 days per year without incurring fines or criminal convictions. The petition argues that children need breaks due to stress and anxiety, and that term-time holidays are often more affordable for families. It has garnered over 180,000 signatures and is scheduled for debate in Parliament on 27 October 2025.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/722842 - A petition advocating for the abolition of fines on term-time holidays, proposing that children be allowed up to 10 days of authorised leave. The petition highlights the high costs of taking children on holiday during school holidays and the impact on families' mental health and well-being. It was submitted in March 2025 and was rejected due to a similar existing petition.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/734483 - A petition requesting that parents be permitted to take up to 10 days of term-time absence per school year without penalty notices. The petition also calls for consistent rules across all school types and a review of the system's compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. It was submitted in July 2025 and was rejected due to a similar existing petition.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/743913 - A petition urging the government to end blanket fines for term-time holidays, assess absences on a case-by-case basis, and support learning during time away. The petition addresses travel cost inequality and advocates for fair, flexible school absence policies that prioritise children's well-being and educational outcomes. It was submitted in September 2025 and was rejected due to a similar existing petition.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/733194 - A petition calling for the abolition of school absence fines and the restoration of parental authority to decide on family holidays. The petition argues that fines penalise struggling working parents and criminalise families choosing affordable holidays during term time. It was submitted in July 2025 and was rejected due to a similar existing petition.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/631546 - A petition advocating for the scrapping of fines for taking children out of school during term time. The petition highlights that parents are being fined for taking their children out of school during term time, even if their child has good attendance, and that parents are having to take unpaid leave to accommodate school strikes. It was submitted in July 2023 and closed with 324 signatures.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative is current, with the petition's debate scheduled for 27 October 2025. However, similar petitions have been submitted in the past, such as one in July 2025, which was rejected due to similarity with existing campaigns. ([petition.parliament.uk](https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/734483?utm_source=openai)) This indicates a recurring issue, but the current petition is fresh.

Quotes check

Score: 9

Notes: The quotes attributed to Natalie Elliott and Linsey Farnsworth are consistent with their public statements. No discrepancies or variations in wording were found, suggesting the quotes are accurately reported.

Source reliability

Score: 10

Notes: The narrative originates from the BBC, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. This enhances the credibility of the information presented.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims about the petition's support and the upcoming parliamentary debate are plausible and align with available information. The Department for Education's stance on attendance and fines is consistent with previous statements. No inconsistencies or implausible elements were identified.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is current and originates from a reputable source, with accurate quotes and plausible claims. While similar petitions have been submitted in the past, the current petition is fresh and scheduled for debate, indicating a genuine development.

Education
Family Rights
School Attendance