Parents fined £2,000 for taking kids on holiday during term time – but still saved £3,200

A couple fined £2,000 for taking their children on holiday during the period saved £3.2k on the cost of the trip – and say they have ‘no regrets’. Rebekah Richardson, 38, and Dale Wood, 46, wanted to take their children – Jacob, eight, and Oliver, seven – on holiday once in a lifetime at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, USA.

But when they compared the price of going in September during term time with October half term, they were stunned to see a £5,000 price difference. They decided to go instead during the school term, but say they are now “struggling to cope” as they face huge fines from local authorities.

Derbyshire County Council issued a fixed penalty notice, also known as a fine, to both parents – ordering Rebekah to pay £924 and Dale £1,044. If they didn’t pay, after 28 days they risked being prosecuted for their children’s absence from school – although they have now started a payment plan.

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Rebekah, a hairdresser, from Clowne, Derbyshire, said: “We are being treated like criminals for taking our young children on holiday. I feel like as parents we get penalized for everything now. I have no regrets as a parent – I think you can never regret spending time together as a family.”

“The good situation is like Russian roulette, some get fined, some don’t, which is unfair. It’s either every parent fined or none you can choose – I don’t think we should be getting criminal records.”

Dale, an army veteran who now works for a water company, was suffering from PTSD after his brother Gavin died suddenly at the age of 35 – following complications from the Covid vaccine. The holiday – from September 12 to September 27 – was partly an escape as he struggled with mental health and the destination was his late brother Gavin’s favorite haunt.

Rebekah said the holiday was “magical” but now worries she will have to cancel Christmas for her family as they are “completely deflated”. Rebekah said: “We went swimming with the dolphins, the kids loved it, they even held an alligator. They loved meeting all the Marvel characters and meeting Mickey and Minnie Mouse. It was so nice to get away, but now we’re really stressed because and worried about what’s going to happen.”

On Tuesday, May 30, Rebekah and Dale were stunned to receive a court summons – ordering Rebekah to pay £924 and Dale £1,044. To make matters worse, Dale – who earns a contract salary – has been off work since January due to his mental health and only returned three weeks ago.

Rebekah said: “Dale hasn’t worked in November and he’s not earning a regular daily wage – we’re really broke now. When the fine came into effect in December 2023, it was the difference between having Christmas and not having it.”

The couple are currently contesting the amount – due to their changing financial circumstances. “We’re afraid now we’re going to have a criminal record and it’s going to go against our credit rating,” Rebekah said.

Rebekah says she knows of other parents who have done the same and not been fined and says it’s “not fair” that it’s one rule for some and a different rule for others.

The family are now behind on every bill and have had to set up a direct debit to pay £170 a month to pay the fine and say they are struggling. We’re being treated like criminals for taking our children on holiday, they’re not 11 and they’re not GCSE,” said Rebekah.

“And it’s okay for teachers to go on strike, which is why I’m on unpaid leave because I’m self-employed.”

Woods’ Family Travel Trip Detail -.

Off term time Flights and accommodation in one package – £3,000 Orlando Studios family tickets – £1,200 Disneyland family tickets (for three days) – £1,100 Total: £5,200.

During school holidays Flights and accommodation in one package – £6,200 Orlando Studios family tickets – £2,100 Disneyland family tickets (for three days) – £2,100.

Total spent – £10,400 Savings – £5,200 Savings after fines – £3,200.