Kirklees parents fined more than £660,000 for unauthorized pupil absences from 2021

By APAN Newsdesk –

Kirklees Council has fined parents more than £660,000 for unauthorized pupil absences from 2021, according to a recent investigation.

The investigation, undertaken by Legal Expert, revealed a dramatic 287% increase in the number of fines issued over the past three years.

The council confirmed that over 500 cases had been prosecuted following non-payment of these fines.

Now, from August 2024, parents who take their children out of school for the term holidays will face even higher penalties of £160.

Currently, unauthorized absences lead to a £60 fine, which doubles to £120 if not paid within 21 days. Failure to pay within 28 days may result in prosecution.

Overview of penalties

Data obtained through freedom of information requests reveals a sharp increase in the number of fines issued.

In the 2021/22 academic year, 1,500 penalty notices were issued, a figure that rose to 4,378 the following year.

This academic year, as of June 24, the board has already issued 5,805 fines, a total expected to reach a record by the end of the year.

Fines collected amounted to £84,920 in 2021/22, rising to £253,200 the following year and reaching £328,201 this year.

This brings the total fines issued since 2021 to £666,321.

Follow ups

Parents who do not pay these fines risk further action such as education supervision orders, community orders or even prison.

The council confirmed 532 prosecutions for non-payment and 1,779 fines were not paid within 21 days – around 15% of all fines issued since 2021.

Increase in fines

From August 2024, fines will rise to £160 for parents who take children out of school for term time holidays, alongside a new national framework.

The framework will require schools to impose fines when a child misses ten or more sessions (five days) without permission.

The Department for Education stresses that fines are a last resort, with support being provided primarily to help improve attendance.

However, it notes that 89% of fines for unauthorized absences are due to holidays.

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With the decision to increase the fines, it is now to go ahead. We want to hear from you. Tell us what you think about fines using our poll below.

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