Parents Grab Holiday Bargains During Term Time
Government statistics have highlighted the sharp increase in the amount of lost school days as a result of parents taking their children on holiday during term-time to save on costs.
We all know that booking a holiday will cost more during the traditional school holiday times than it will during term time, but local authorities have announced a stricter policy on truants who break the law by holidaying when schools are still open.
The latest figures have shown that so-called “travel truancy” penalty numbers in Liverpool have so far risen by 50 per cent compared to last year. East Yorkshire has the highest number of travel truants in the country, and the county has actually banned term-time travel for, “the first six weeks of the academic year, all of years 10 and 11, year 6 Sats week and year 9 options time”, The Times has reported.
Those who take their children out of school for a cheaper holiday will receive a £50 fixed penalty per child. This amount increases to £100 if left unpaid for 28 days, and possible prosecution and up to £2,500 fine loom if not paid at all.
However, many parents have stated they would prefer to pay the fines than the higher holiday costs, with some destinations costing as much as 80 per cent more during the popular school holidays.
Mother of three, Susie Wooller explained the difficulties of balancing holiday and educations needs. She said: “I’ve saved £900 by booking our holiday in June. I used to teach, so I know how important education is, but holidays are important too.”
Travel Industry news posted by Marilyn on 15 March 2010
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