North East Lincolnshire and Hull among highest for pupil holiday absence fines
Significant fines issued for term-time holidays in Humberside
Two local authority areas in the Humberside region have among the highest rates of fines in England for pupil absences due to family holidays. North East Lincolnshire ranks eighth highest and Hull twelfth for the rate of fines issued for family holidays in term time per 10,000 pupils.
The Department for Education has recently released fresh data giving the lowdown on fines issued to parents for school matters in 2024/25. Most relate to taking children out on unauthorised term-time holidays.
A total of 459,000 penalty notices were given to parents in England where the main reason was for unauthorised family holidays. This translates to an average of 620 fines for every 10,000 pupils across the country.
In 2024/25, the amount payable for a penalty notice was £80 if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 after more than 21 days. If not paid within 28 days, the council must prosecute for the original offence, or withdraw the notice.
A second notice issued to a parent concerning the same child in a three year period is charged at £160. In North East Lincolnshire, 2,623 fines were issued for unauthorised absences for family holidays.
This works out to 1,225 fines per 10,000 pupils, the eighth-highest rate in the country. “Following the release of the DfE’s Working Together to Improve School Attendance statutory guidance in 2024, we’ve worked hard to review local policies and practices to ensure that all schools have a consistent approach,” said a North East Lincolnshire Council spokesperson.
The 2024 guidance made changes meaning there are more cases where a parent, or step-parent, must be fined. This has contributed to the number of fines issued, which does not necessarily reflect the numbers of individual children.
The spokesperson continued: “We issue fines to parents at the request of schools after they have confirmed, through investigation where needed, that a child is away on holiday.” Generally, in North East Lincolnshire, a support-first approach is taken with pupils and families when at risk of a fine. This leads to fines for unauthorised term-time holidays being the overwhelming main reason for penalty notices that are issued.
Cllr Margaret Cracknell (Conservative – Haverstoe Ward), portfolio holder for children and education, added: “Children learn, grow and develop best when they are able to take advantage of what schools have to offer, and therefore it’s imperative that children go to school and stay in school.”
In 2024/25, there were 2,127 fines issued for unauthorised absences for family holidays in North Lincolnshire, working out to 954 for every 10,000 pupils.
Hull saw 4,340 fines issued for unauthorised family holidays in term time. This works out to 1,125 for every 10,000 pupils, the 12th highest rate in England.
In a statement, Hull City Council said: “Fines for unauthorised term‑time holidays are imposed in accordance with Department for Education statutory guidance and the legal duties established under Section 444 of the Education Act 1996, which places responsibility on parents to ensure their child’s regular attendance at school.
“In Hull, these fines are issued following this national guidance, ensuring consistent application of attendance expectations and supporting all pupils’ entitlement to uninterrupted learning.”
Over in East Riding, there were 2,566 fines issued for unauthorised term-time holidays. This works out to a rate of 650 fines per 10,000 pupils, the lowest rate across the Humberside area.
East Riding Council told the LDRS: “Schools work with families to improve attendance and address any barriers a pupil or family may have. Penalty notice fines are issued if a pupil misses ten consecutive sessions missed for the purposes of a holiday.
“In the East Riding school attendance is in line with the national figure of 93.1 per cent, and higher than the Yorkshire and Humber figure which is 92.8 per cent. Schools and the local authority continue to work with families to improve school attendance and ensure children get the most from their education journey.”
Across England, the number of fines for unsanctioned term-time holidays rose by almost exactly 16,000 in 2024/25, compared to 2023/24. In the Humberside area, local authorities had contrasting trends.
North East Lincolnshire’s figure of 2,623 fines issued actually represents a fall of 13 per cent compared to the year before, when 3,011 fines were dealt out for unapproved holiday absences.
North Lincolnshire’s total is largely the same as the year before. East Riding’s total fines issued for uncertified holiday absences declined by 19 per cent in 2024/25 compared to the academic year before.
Hull’s figure saw a significant rise of almost 70 per cent, from 2,574 fines given out for unsanctioned term-time family holidays in 2023/24.
North Lincolnshire Council were contacted for comment.