Number of term-time school holiday fines hits another record high
A record 459,288 school holiday fines were issued in England last year, according to new data from the Department for Education published on 29 January 2026.
This is a 4% increase from the previous year, meaning the number of fines has reached a new all-time high. These holiday fines now account for 93% of all penalty notices issued for children missing school without permission.
đź’° New Fine Rates and Rules
This is the first set of data released since the government increased the cost of fines in August 2024. The new rules include:
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Higher Costs: Fines rose from £60 to £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days. If paid between 22 and 28 days, the cost doubles to £160.
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Three-Year Rule: If a parent is fined a second time for the same child within three years, the fine is automatically £160.
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Prosecution: Parents are capped at two fines within a three-year period. A third instance of unauthorised absence can lead straight to a court appearance, where fines can reach £2,500 or even result in a prison sentence.
đź“Ť Regional Differences
The likelihood of being fined depends heavily on where you live.
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Highest Rates: Yorkshire and the Humber remains the region where parents are most likely to be fined, with around 103 fines issued for every 1,000 pupils.
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Lowest Rates: London continues to have the lowest rate, with just 36 fines per 1,000 pupils.
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Local Policy: While the government introduced a national framework in 2024 to make fines more consistent, individual councils still have the power to decide when to take action.
đź’¬ Differing Views
The government maintains that fines are a "vital part of the system" because missing school can disrupt the learning of an entire class. However, many parents argue that the cost of holidays during official school breaks is too high.
Some, like military families or farmers, say their jobs make it impossible to take time off during traditional school holidays. While some councils are willing to listen to "exceptional circumstances"—such as military service—most emphasize that term-time holidays are not allowed. Teaching unions have also questioned if fines are a "blunt weapon" that doesn't solve the deeper reasons why some children miss school, such as mental health issues or financial struggles.
