**Increase in Fines for Parents Taking Children on Term-Time Holidays in Torfaen**
Parents in Torfaen, Wales, are facing a noticeable rise in the number of fines being issued for taking children out of school during term-time. New figures released by local authorities indicate that fixed penalty notices—commonly referred to as on-the-spot fines—for unauthorised absences have risen by 11% over the previous year, sparking fresh debate about the practice of holidaying during the school term.
According to Torfaen County Borough Council, schools requested a total of 261 fixed penalty notices throughout the 2024/25 financial year, which concluded in March. These penalties are typically levied against parents who openly accept responsibility for their children’s absences, serving as an alternative to more serious prosecution. The £120 fines can be reduced to £60 for those who pay within 60 days, incentivising prompt settlement.
The number of fines requested demonstrates a gradual increase, up by 26 from the previous year, which marked the introduction of the penalty in its current form. This upward trend appears consistent with growing concerns from educators and officials over unauthorised absences, particularly as families may perceive the fines as a cost-effective trade-off for cheaper holidays outside peak times.
While some notices are rescinded if new information emerges—such as the involvement of other services or mitigating circumstances—only a small proportion of notices were withdrawn last year. Specifically, 11 out of the 261 notices issued were ultimately cancelled after further review by the council.
The predominant reason cited for these penalties continues to be holidays taken during term time without the school’s authorisation. This pattern was highlighted in a report provided to the council’s education scrutiny committee, reflecting ongoing efforts by authorities to address the issue of school attendance.
In a recent committee meeting, Blaenavon independent councillor Janet Jones questioned whether families were strategically weighing the potential fine against the savings offered by term-time holidays. Responding to this, education welfare officer Hannah Catherine Moore stressed that fines are meant as a deterrent, forming just one facet of a broader strategy for promoting regular school attendance.
Ms Moore emphasised that schools are also obliged to develop and implement attendance action plans to address pupils who are persistently absent. She underlined the importance of communicating to parents the impact of repeated absences, noting: “It is vital we help families understand the educational consequences for their children when they are taken out of school repeatedly.” She acknowledged, however, that some parents remain undeterred and continue to accrue fines year after year, but added that in certain year groups and families, the fixed penalty system has made a positive difference.
Parents are still within their rights to request absence for term-time holidays. However, the discretion to approve or deny these requests rests with each individual school, which may take into account a range of factors—including the timing of the holiday and the child’s attendance record. Schools vary in their policies; some refuse to authorise any absence for holidays, while others may grant permission in special circumstances, such as when a pupil is travelling to their country of origin.
Ms Moore explained that, overall, increased use of fixed penalty notices has helped reinforce the message about the importance of regular school attendance. She also pointed out that, although further legal action such as prosecution is available to the council, especially in cases of repeated or sustained absences, this more severe measure has become less necessary as the penalties have proven effective.
Councillors also raised concerns about potential negative consequences, such as fines being issued mistakenly for illnesses. Ms Moore recounted a situation where a child returned from absence and admitted to having been on holiday despite earlier reports of illness from their parent, suggesting schools remain vigilant when investigating reasons for absence.
The ongoing issue highlights the challenges faced by both families and authorities in balancing the financial pressures of holidays with the educational needs of children. As term-time fines become an increasingly common deterrent in Torfaen, the debate about their effectiveness and fairness is likely to continue in communities across Wales.