Record numbers of UK families are being fined for taking term-time holidays, with many parents calculating that travel savings during school weeks still outweigh the cost of penalties. Olivia Palamountain reports

Would you risk a £160 fine to save hundreds on a family holiday? A record number of British families are doing just that, despite tougher penalties for taking children out of school during term time.

New figures from the Department for Education show that 459,288 penalty notices were issued in 2024-25 for unauthorised school absence, a 4% rise year on year, with holidays accounting for 93% of all fines. This represents the highest total since comparable records began and the first full year of data after fines were increased under new national guidance.

Under the revised national framework introduced in August 2024, parents who take children out of school without permission can be fined £80 per parent, per child if paid within 21 days, rising to £160 if paid within 28 days. A second unauthorised holiday for the same child within three years incurs the higher £160 fine immediately, while further repeat offences may lead to prosecution, with courts able to impose fines of up to £2,500 per parent and, in extreme cases, a custodial sentence.

As reported by Go Compare, parents face a spike in prices for package holidays during school breaks, further adding to the cost of a getaway. For a family of four, the price per person rises by an average of 9%.

These increased costs mean parents have to choose between forking out for the price hike or risking fines by taking their kids out of school.

The insurance company compared holiday prices for the UK’s most popular family destinations for every week in the year, outlaying much it really costs parents to travel during school breaks and which weeks offer the biggest savings.

Package holiday costs during school breaks in 2025/26 show significant increases compared to term time, with an overall average price rise of 9% or £179 per person. Spain sees the steepest jump, with prices rising 20% – an additional £337 per person on average – making it the most expensive increase despite being the cheapest term-time destination at an average of £290 per person.

Greece follows with a 12% increase (£279 per person), whilst Italy rises 4% (£79 per person) and France sees the smallest increase at just 1% (£19 per person). Term-time package prices range from £290 per person to £3,309 per person, rising to between £384 per person and £3,572 per person during school breaks. Greece remains the most expensive destination in both term time and school holidays.

For families facing fines of £80 to £160 per parent, per child for unauthorised absence, the savings on term-time travel can still significantly outweigh the penalty costs.

The government maintains that regular attendance is vital and that holidays should be taken during official school breaks, with penalties designed to support this objective.