Survey shows mums oppose fines for term-time holidays

Mums oppose Education Secretary Michael Gove’s plans to fine parents £100 a child if they take then out of school during term-time for a holiday.
A recent survey undertaken by Mumpreneur UK showed that 76% of those questioned disagreed with the government penalty plans and 48% felt that it meant the end of family holidays and quality time.

Research shows that the average cost for a holiday for four increases by 43% between 22nd and 29the August compared to 12th to 19th September, costing an average £790 per family extra.
If Gove’s plans come to fruition many believe that they will still remove their children from school during term time as the per child fine will still work out more cost effective than paying peak holiday prices, says Mumpreneur UK.

Laura Rigney, co-founder of Mumpreneur UK, said: "The costs of holidays are spiralling out of control. Holiday companies have always increased costs during the school breaks as they know most parents will wait and pay extra rather than jeopardise their childs education but it looks like costs are set to rise again. If the new plans become a reality, these companies will have placed parents in a catch 22 situation.
"Once travel firms realise that parents have no other choice but to wait for school breaks, they will increase costs even further. We simply can’t win. The only sensible thing would be for the Government to impose price caps and strictly regulate holiday costs."

She adds: "How are Britain’s employers going to cope when 50% or more of their workforce book annual leave during the peak summer period?"