The UK government has officially responded to a petition demanding a ban on parents being fined for removing their children from school, firmly rejecting the call. The petition, titled 'Legislate to ban FPNs and prosecutions related to school attendance,' was launched on the Parliament website at the end of March and has garnered over 35,000 signatures. To be debated in Parliament, it requires 100,000 signatures.
Petition Background
Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) are issued for minor offences, including school attendance violations. The petition claims that penalties for taking children out of school reached a record high in the 2024-25 academic year. Natalie Elliott, the petition's creator, argues that FPNs are 'ineffective and punish families,' labeling them a 'stealth tax.' She asserts that the attendance legislation is being abused, with schools marking authorized absences as unauthorized, including for illness, SEND, and family emergencies.
Government Response
A Department for Education (DfE) spokesperson stated that the government has no intention of banning FPNs or prosecutions, as both influence parental behaviour where support has been exhausted. They noted that 93% of penalty notices in 2024-25 were for unauthorized term-time holidays, indicating FPNs are used when support is inappropriate. The spokesperson emphasized the legal duty under the Education Act 1996 for parents to ensure regular school attendance, with exceptions for illness, religious observance, or prior permission.
The government believes that banning FPNs would not serve the best interests of addressing non-attendance and upholding a child's right to education. The current system expects schools and local authorities to provide support first, then consider legal interventions if necessary.
