Taking children on holiday during term-time - what do you think?

Last September new rules were introduced making it harder for parents to get permission to take their children out of school in term time.

As parents across Sussex prepare for their annual leave, we ask what do you think about taking schoolchildren on holiday during term time? Make your views known using the commenting facility below.

A maximum fine of £60 per pupil per parent – rising to £120 if not paid within seven days – can now be charged, where refusal to pay could mean a fine of up to £2,500, and a possible jail sentence of up to three months.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of parents have signed petitions urging Parliament to look at the issue of travel companies raising their prices during school holidays, prompting MPs to table a debate in the House of Commons next week.

New research from the Halifax reports half of parents say the single most important factor affecting their choice of summer holiday destination is the cost, and nearly a quarter don’t think they will be able to go away on holiday this summer.

However, of the two-fifths of parents who would risk a fine, more than half of these would consider going away in term time if they could save up to £750 on the total cost of a holiday to their favoured destination.

Nearly two fifths of these parents would risk a fine if they could make savings of up to £500, and 15% would even consider going away in term time if they could save £1-£250 – the cost of a fine for two parents with two children.

Almost one third of parents will pay for their summer holiday in one go out of savings, whereas 27% will use their current account, and 23% will pay for it with a credit card.

The number of children parents have appears to have an impact on how they pay for their holiday. While parents with one child are most likely to pay for their summer holiday using their current account (27%), those with two children are most likely to pay for it out of savings (37%), and those with 3 or more children were most likely to pay for in on credit card (36%).

Richard Fearon, Head of Halifax Savings, said: “Parents’ finances are being squeezed; with the new rules on fines for taking children out of school during term time on one side and increased prices for holidays during the summer on the other. Some parents are prepared to risk a fine if they can get a cheaper holiday.

“Many families are working hard to build up their savings balances, and will be able to use this to pay for treats such as holidays. Being realistic about what you’re able to save and identifying what it’s intended for can help to make it easier to maintain a regular savings habit.”

Among families who took a summer holiday in 2013, the UK was the most popular destination, with 28% staying on these shores compared to 27% who went to Southern Europe.

While the split between those staying in the UK or going to Southern Europe was evenly split among parents with one (26% UK and 26% Southern Europe) or two children (29% UK and 29% Southern Europe), 32% of families with three or more children stayed in the UK, with just 26% going to Southern Europe.

This summer more than a third (36%) of families are planning to go on holiday to Southern Europe, with just 29% staying in the UK. Southern Europe remains the most popular destination for families with one (37%) or two children (42%), although the UK remain the most popular destination for those with three of more children (31%) with just 20% of this group going away to Southern Europe.