Areas most likely to fine parents for school-time holidays - is it financially worth it?
Across the UK, councils issued nearly £41 million in penalties to families taking term-time breaks between 2022 and 2024, according to Freedom of Information Act requests.
And there was a 24% rise in fines last year – with 443,300 fines issued in 2023/24, compared to 356,181 in 2022/23, Department for Education data shows. That was a record high - three times higher than in 2016-17, when government records began.
Essex County Council came down hardest on parents, issuing 35,605 fines for unauthorised school absences, according to Confused.com.
This is compared to Denbighshire County Council in Wales, which imposed just four.
Across Wales, far fewer fines were issued, with just 2,762 compared to England’s 873,062.
And yes, Wales does have a smaller population, but when looking at the average, one fine was issued for every 65 people in England, compared with every 1,134 people in Wales.
Where are parents most likely to be fined?
Councils that issued the most fines for term-time holidays since 2022:
| Council | Fines issued | |
|---|---|---|
| Essex County Council | 35,605 | |
| Bradford City Council | 35,023 | |
| Lancashire County Council | 34,404 | |
| Birmingham City Council | 25,614 | |
| Hampshire County Council | 25,221 | |
| Norfolk County Council | 24,877 | |
| Derbyshire County Council | 21,697 | |
| Manchester City Council | 20,749 | |
| Nottinghamshire County Council | 20,418 | |
| Leicester City Council | 19,143 |
Councils that issued the fewest fines for term-time holidays since 2022:
| Council | Fines issued | |
|---|---|---|
| Merton Borough Council | 370 | |
| Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council | 342 | |
| Kingston upon Thames Borough Council | 273 | |
| Richmond upon Thames Borough Council | 220 | |
| Westminster City Council | 212 | |
| Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council | 193 | |
| Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | 91 | |
| Torfaen County Borough Council | 88 | |
| Hartlepool Council | 57 | |
| Denbighshire County Council | 4 |
How much is the school term-time holiday fine?
On average, the fine between 2022 and 2024 was £60 per child, per parent, rising to £120 if not paid within 21 days. For a family of four, that's a potential £480 added to the cost of a holiday if both parents are fined.
Since August 2024, the fine for school absences across the country has risen to £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid within 28 days. Remember this is per parent per child. So if two parents go away on the holiday, they will both be fined the £80.
And the more you break the rules, the stricter the penalty. If a parent receives a second fine for the same child within any three-year period, this will be charged at the higher rate of £160.
And if they reach their third fine, this is escalated and they could be subject to a parenting order or prosecution. Court prosecution could lead to a fine up to £2,500.
Is it still cheaper to go during term time?
In some cases, even after paying the fine, a term-time trip can cost less than peak school holiday prices — but it's a shrinking gap as the fines have risen from £60 per parent per child to £80 (and these double if not paid within 21 days).
Of those questioned who had taken their child out of school for a holiday, they saved an average £567 on travel costs, Confused.com said. And 16% saved more than £1,000, according to the survey.
However, Confused.com has warned parents that the fines could “quickly outweigh the savings” with parents also at risk of legal action.
Alvaro Iturmendi, Confused.com travel insurance expert said: “It’s important to understand that fines for unauthorised absences can quickly add up as they’re typically issued per parent, per child.
“So, a £60 fine could double to £120 for a two-parent household, and even more if you have multiple children.
“But if this is something that is happening repeatedly, then councils could take legal action.
“So while the savings could seem worth it, the consequences could be far more severe than you realise.”
Other costs to watch out for
Aside from potential fines, travelling outside of peak times doesn't mean you should skimp on other essentials.
Travel insurance is crucial, even for short-haul breaks, especially when plans are squeezed around school schedules and can't easily be rescheduled.
A good policy can protect against trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and lost luggage, potentially saving hundreds (or even thousands) if something goes wrong.
Savvy tips for family travel:
- Book early: Airlines sometimes release cheaper fares nine-12 months ahead.
- Use cashback and voucher sites: Save on flights, hotels, and car hire.
- Compare travel insurance carefully: Look for family policies that cover school interruptions if needed.
- Consider cheaper destinations: Save money on your trip by going for lesser-known holiday spots. We have a few articles that could help with that:
5 tips for finding cheap flights
Cheap holiday destinations 2025
Want a cheap city break? Try Vilnius - top 5 cheapest (and most expensive) destinations revealed
While a term-time holiday can still seem like a bargain, today's tighter enforcement means families need to factor fines - and full protection - into their budgeting more than ever.
Read more: