Millions of parents in the UK are increasingly taking their children out of school during term time to secure more affordable holidays, a trend that carries the risk of significant fines and potential legal action. According to the Parentkind National Parent Survey 2026, over two million parents, equivalent to one in five, admitted to removing their children from school for cheaper breaks abroad. This suggests a growing dilemma for families balancing attendance policies with the financial realities of holiday costs.
The survey, which involved 6,053 parents with children aged four to 18, also revealed that half of parents favored a shorter summer break. Among those who took their children out of school, 28 percent did not disclose the true reason for the absence to the school.
Government guidance states that holidays are generally not considered exceptional circumstances for term-time absence. Parents can face fines of £80 per child, which double to £160 if not paid within 21 days. Figures from the Department for Education show that nearly half a million fines, totaling 459,288, were issued last year, marking a 4 percent increase from the previous year and amounting to £36 million in fines. This trend spans various income levels, with 23 percent of parents from households earning over £100,000 admitting to taking their children out of school for holidays. Additionally, 25 percent of parents with children with disabilities and special educational needs also reported doing so.
Conversely, three million parents were unable to afford a holiday in the past year. Financial strain is particularly acute for lower-income households, with half of parents in households earning £20,000 reporting an inability to afford a trip, and 43 percent in households earning between £20,000 and £35,000 facing similar issues. The school holidays themselves present a financial burden for many, with 51 percent of parents finding them difficult financially and 42 percent experiencing them as stressful. Childcare during these breaks is another concern, leading 22 percent of working parents to take unpaid leave.
One parent, Lucy from East Sussex, took her three children to Lanzarote in January, saving £1,500 by traveling during term time. While not solely for cost-saving, the timing was dictated by her family's farming schedule, which limits availability during peak holiday periods. She stated that a family holiday is more important than her children's primary school attendance.
Frank Young, Parentkind's chief executive, commented that parents are being "pushed into a terrible position" regarding family holidays, making it unsurprising that some opt for term-time trips and attempt to conceal the reason. The Department for Education noted that children missing lessons for holidays place an added burden on teachers and impact the entire class, emphasizing that fines remain a crucial component of the system while offering support to children facing barriers to school attendance.