Most parents say fines for unauthorised absences would not deter them from taking their children out of school for a holiday, a survey has found.
Half of parents are opposed to the policy in England where fines are considered if a child misses five days of school without permission, according to a poll by Parentkind charity.
The survey, of nearly 5,500 parents from across the UK, found that nearly three in five (57%) parents have or would consider their child missing school for a day or more for a term-time holiday.
The same proportion (57%) of parents said the risk of receiving a fine for an unauthorised term-time holiday would have no impact on their decision to take their child out of school.
The poll was carried out by YouGov in April and May ahead of higher fines for unauthorised pupil absences coming into effect in England.
School absence fines have now increased from £60 to £80 this academic year as part of a Government drive to boost attendance since the pandemic.
A parent who receives a second fine for the same child within a three-year period will automatically receive a £160 fine under the changes.
The Department for Education (DfE) has said other actions, such as a parenting order or prosecution, will be considered if a parent exceeds two fines per child within a three-year period, and those who are prosecuted could receive a fine of up to £2,500.
Nearly one in five (18%) parents surveyed said it was harder to get their child to attend school compared to before the pandemic, while 31% said they were “more relaxed” about their child’s attendance since Covid-19.
The poll also found that one in seven parents (14%) said their child spends seven hours or more a day on electronic devices outside school on a typical week day.
Around one in 10 parents of primary school age children said their child spends at least seven hours a day on their phone, tablet or games consoles outside school on a typical week day.
The charity is calling on the Government to publish the evidence on smartphone harm and introduce a Bill to ban smartphones for children.
The plea comes as Labour MP Josh MacAlister is introducing a Private Member’s Bill (PMB) in Parliament this week on protecting…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Independent Travel…