North East councils have drastically increased the number of fines sent out to parents this year for unauthorised absences from school.
And thousands of parents are being prosecuted after not paying a penalty.
The number of fines issued by North East Councils to parents for unauthorised school absences have risen by 60 per cent in a 12-month period, with figures set to soar again this year.
An investigation by Legal Expert has analysed figures across the North East Combined Authority revealing which councils are doling out the most penalty notices, fines and prosecutions.
Newcastle Upon Tyne City Council issued 10 times more fines this year than it did in 2021.
Parents who flout the rules of term-time holidays could be hit with hefty fines of £160 if they take their child out of school for a term-time holiday from this August, 2024.
Currently, unauthorised absences can see parents slapped with a £60 fine which increases to £120 per child if it is not paid within 21 days, with a potential for prosecution for non-payment of 28 days.
Durham Council issued the second highest amount of fines in the North East - with a total of 4,241 between 2021 and 2024.
But it saw the biggest increase in the value of fines handed out in the last three years.
(Image: Legal Expert)
Between 2021/22, the council issued £10,860 worth of fines. This year so far, it has issued penalty notices to parents totalling £91,118 - that’s an increase of 739 per cent.
Since 2021, it has sent 696 cases to EWS (Education Welfare System) for prosecution following non-payment.
South Tyneside Council has issued more than £215.000 worth of fines for unauthorised pupil absences since 2021.
The number of penalty notices it handed out to parents increased by 48 per cent in one year.
A total of 1,286 fines were issued between 2021/22, rising to 1,904 the following year.
So far this academic year, the council has doled out 1,822 - the total figure is likely to be the highest it has been in three years.
Parents who don’t pay the fine in time, can be subjected to further action which could include an Education Supervision Order, Community Order or even a Jail Order.
Parents are being warned this year as fines are set to increase from this August.
New guidelines will see fines of up to £160 if the child is taken out of school for a term-time holiday.
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The hike will come along with a new national framework which will require schools to consider fines when a child misses ten or more sessions (five days) without permission.
A Department of Education spokesperson said: “Fines are a last resort, and parents will be offered support to help improve their child’s attendance first.”
However, the department added that “the vast majority of fines for unauthorised absence (89 per cent) are issued for term time holidays”.
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