Petition to allow parents to take children out of school for 10 days fine free debated in Parliament
Campaigners say the move would stop parents from being penalised for prioritising their families' best interests
Last updated 27th Oct 2025
Parliament is debating a petition which would allow parents to take their children out of school for up to 10 days fine free.
Campaigners say the current policy for term time leave "criminalises parents that are making choices in the best interests of their families" and "disproportionately impacts families that are already under immense pressure".
The UK petition has received 181,598 signatures and is being discussed in Parliament on 27 October 2025.
We asked parents in Tunbridge Wells about it, some of whom told us they take them out of school anyway, and risk getting fined.
Others said:
"It's just so expensive to go away during term-time, so if you want to allow people to go on holiday, you need to give people that opportunity."
"Children must have life experiences outside of an academic environment to develop - experiencing new cultures, spending time with family - it's part of growing up, not something we should be fined for."
But another Mum said: "I do think it disrupts learning, you never know what they might be missing. It could be key tests that feed into the national curriculum. And I think it disrupts routine."
Campaigners for the petition believe "some children are being discriminated against due to the strict guidelines that have been put in place."
"Many children with SEND do have a disability, and are therefore protected under the Equality Act. We are calling for reform of legislation on taking children out of school urgently."
Penalties for taking children out of school can include fines of £80 (or £160 if paid later) per parent, per child, for unauthorized absences, including term-time holidays.
Repeated or more serious offenses can lead to prosecution with fines up to £2,500, a community order, or imprisonment for up to three months.
A school governor from Tunbridge Wells, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Greatest Hits and Hits Radio "absences affect schools Ofsted ratings".
"Parents want their children to go to a fantastic school with a great Ofsted and sometimes the only reason that school hasn't reached an Outstanding status is because parents have taken children out of term time to afford a holiday."
"But from a parent's point of view, holiday costs are astronomical so I see both perspectives."
A Government spokesperson said:
"Absence is one of the biggest barriers to success for children and young people, and has soared post-pandemic."
"A steady churn of absences disrupts the learning of every child disrupting teachers’ ability to plan and sequence learning."
"We know that some pupils face more complex barriers to attendance ... however all of these children have the same need and right to a full-time education as any other pupil.
Earlier this year, the Government announced over £1 billion of additional high needs funding for this year to help meet the needs of children with SEND and £740 million to create additional specialist places, including in mainstream schools.
"On holidays in particular, we understand that some parents wish to avoid peak periods. However, the school year is structured in such a way as to provide plenty of time throughout the year for holidays outside of term-time, and schools also have considerable flexibility to plan term dates themselves."
You can watch the debate here.