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Education Sec to tackle travel firms on school hol price hikes

- SOPHIE HUSKISSON

THE Education Secretary plans to confront the travel industry about the high costs of school holidays amid a crisis in parents taking children out of school.

Bridget Phillipson said she will discuss the situation with Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander as she vowed to crack down on the number of pupils missing class.

Last year more than 443,000 fines - a record number - were issued to parents taking their children out of class in term time, a 53% increase since before the Covid pandemic.

School absence fines in England went up from £60 to £80 in September, rising to £160 for parents who get a second penalty for the same child within a three-year period.