Bath and North East Council has issued more than £110,000 worth of fines to parents for unauthorised pupil absences since 2021.

An investigation by Legal Expert uncovered a 77 per cent surge in the number of penalties issued to local parents over the last three years, with the council confirming over 170 cases were put to prosecution due to unpaid fines.

From August 2024, parents going against term-time holiday rules could face steep fines of £160 per child taken out of school without authorisation.

Currently, the council levies a £60 fine per unauthorised absence which doubles to £120 if unpaid within 21 days.

The failure to pay within 28 days may lead to prosecution.

Legal Expert's Freedom of Information request highlighted that the council has issued 2,244 fines since 2021, with figures increasing each year.

In the 2021/22 period, the council handed out 551 penalty notices, escalating to 719 the following year.

This year to date, 974 fines have been circulated for unauthorised absences, a number predicted to rise by year-end.

The fine totals have also significantly increased, from £27,360 in 2021/22 to £39,720 the following year.

As of June 24 this academic year, penalty notices totalling £46,020 have been charged to parents, concluding in a £113,100 total since 2021.

Further action for fines not paid promptly could involve an Education Supervision Order, Community Order or even a Jail Order.

Indeed, the council confirmed 173 substantial instances where fines were not cleared within 21 days, equating to 17 per cent of the total figure since 2021.

(Image: Legal Expert)

Parents are being warned this year as fines are set to increase from August 2024.

If a child is taken out of school for a term-time holiday, fines might rise to £160.

Simultaneously, a national framework will obligate schools to consider fines if a child misses 10 or more sessions (five days) unauthorised.

The Department of Education stated: "Fines are a last resort, and parents will be offered support to help improve their child’s attendance first."

Nonetheless, it conceded that "the vast majority of fines for unauthorised absence (89 per cent) are issued for term time holidays."

For parents confused about unauthorised absence fines, LegalExpert.co.uk provides expert advice through a 24-hour helpline or live chat service.

Detailed knowledge was obtained through FOI requests to all Metropolitan and Unitary Councils in England.