Parents in Birmingham have been issued a record number of fines for taking their children out of school without permission, according to newly released figures. More than 18,000 penalties were handed out in the last year as headteachers enforced stricter attendance rules, marking a significant increase in enforcement action.
This rise follows a change in policy by Birmingham City Council, which tightened its absence thresholds. Previously, children could miss up to ten days before fines were considered, but this was reduced to five, leading to a sharp spike in penalties. At the same time, national changes have seen the cost of fines increase, making unauthorised absences a more expensive decision for parents.
Sharp increase in fines as schools enforce tougher rules
Birmingham has seen a notable rise in school absence penalties over the past year. According to Birmingham City Council, over 15,200 fines were issued in the 2023/24 academic year, while an additional 3,000 fines were recorded between September 2024 and January 2025. This represents a dramatic increase compared to previous periods.
For context, only 4,889 fines were issued between January and August 2023, demonstrating how significantly enforcement has intensified. The increase is directly linked to the council‘s revised attendance policy, which now considers an absence of more than five days as grounds for a fine, instead of the previous ten-day allowance.
At a national level, the government has also introduced higher financial penalties for unauthorised absences. The maximum fine has now reached £160, though this is reduced to £80 if paid within 21 days. This adjustment aims to discourage parents from taking children out of school without permission, particularly for term-time holidays.
Parents face tough choices amid financial pressures
Many of these fines have been linked to parents taking their children on term-time holidays, often in a bid to secure lower travel costs. According to BirminghamLive, families have found it increasingly difficult to afford trips during official school breaks due to higher holiday prices during peak seasons.
Speaking on the issue, Nick Drewe, a retail and travel discount expert at Wethrift, acknowledged the financial strain many families face. He explained: “We’re living in particularly tough times financially, so term-time holiday deals have often been a lifeline for families who want to get away without breaking the bank.”
He also pointed out that last-minute holiday deals can offer substantial savings, making it more tempting for parents to take advantage of lower prices outside of school holidays. However, with the stricter enforcement of fines, many families are now forced to weigh up the risks before making travel decisions.
