Parents fined £6.2m as schools are told to crack down on pupil absences

...but sick and disabled kids ‘unfairly treated' claim campaigners

- Emily Braeger

MORE and more parents are being fined for their children not turning up to lessons a total of more than £6.2million so far this school year.

But parents of pupils with disabilities or serious illnesses say a recent Government crackdown on unauthorised days off, which will see penalties rise by 33%, is unfair.

Such children have historically had more absences due to health issues, lack of support in school or waiting for a suitable place as well as being subject to higher rates of exclusion.

So far this year 116,652 fines have been issued with £6,265,272 collected, Freedom of Information requests reveal. From September 2022 to last July 296,180 fines led to a total of £13,494,672.

Two mothers who have autistic children accused the Government ...mums Susar of "prioritising attendance over the needs of children, especially those with special educational needs and disabilities".