More parents are being fined over kids' attendance

THERE has been a sharp rise in prosecutions for North Tyneside and Newcastle parents over unauthorised school absences.

- DAVID HUNTLEY

Both council areas have seen rises in the number of fixed-penalty notices and fines being issued to parents, figures have revealed.

North Tyneside Council launched 58 prosecutions last year - a 346 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

Across Newcastle last year, there were 69 prosecutions, but this year that number has risen to 84.

The figures were revealed as part of a Freedom of Information Act request, and come as thousands of youngsters across the area return to school for the new academic year.

The data shows that in Newcastle, city council prosecutions rose by 22 per cent last year.

Comparatively, there were 84 prosecutions in 2024/25 - compared to less than five just two years prior.

The figures show that in Newcastle in 2021/22, a total of 135 fines or fixed-penalty notices (FPN) were issued to parents for unauthorised absence of their child at school - although no parents were prosecuted.

But that figure has jumped drastically for 2024/25, with 2,551 fines or FPNs being issued and 84 people being prosecuted - figures have risen year on year.

No parents have received jail time, the figures show.