Petition · past parliament · Department for Education

Abolish fines for parents who take their children out of school

Closed 658 signatures

What the petition asks

We want the Government to stop local authorities and schools from fining parents for taking their children out of school during term time. We think it is unacceptable of the government to intervene into family life in this way. Schools are educators not enforcers and should not dictate family life.
We think that these fines are a stealth tax from a Government that interferes in people's lives. We are concerned this system has the biggest impact on the poorest people, who take their children out of school for a holiday because it is the only time they can afford to go away. As parents, we are our childrens' guardians, not the Government; and children don't only learn in school.

Timeline

30 Apr 2024 Petition opened for signatures
29 May 2024 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 658
Status Closed
Department Department for Education
Opened 30 Apr 2024
Closed 29 May 2024

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.