Midlands MP backs campaign against term time holiday rules

The debate over term-time holidays goes on Credit: ITV News Central

New regulations about taking holidays during term time have removed the discretion of headteachers to approve absences except in exceptional circumstances.

But many families feel it is not for the government to decide when they should take a trip.

They have formed a campaign group to mount a legal challenge to get the rules reversed - a move that is being backed by a Midlands MP. It is an issue that is also being discussed on tonight's (5 June) Lobby programme.

The campaign is about more than getting a cheap family holiday in the sun in term time. It is about why should the government say when parents can go away with their children.

Campaigner, Karen Wilkinson, says people are not happy about the new rules.

The Education Secretary Michael Gove changed the rules. Until last year children could take up to 10 days a year off school - at the headteacher's discretion.

Now, that discretion has gone except in exceptional circumstances. And the fine has gone up from £50 to £60 a day if children miss lessons unnecessarily .

The campaign group are now preparing a legal challenge claiming the new rules are a breach of the human right to family life.

Already more than 200,000 parents have signed a petition and they are backed by a west midlands MP - John Hemming.

Mother, Rachel Nolan, says the situation is difficult, because of the costs of going on holiday during term time.

Holiday costs can be highlighted with a quick look in the internet. A seven days, half board holiday in Majorca this week, flying from East Midlands airport would have cost a family of four more than £2,000.

The same holiday booked at the same time but for eight weeks later when the school holidays have started costs more than three thousand pounds - an increase of nearly sixty per cent.

But headteacher, Elaine Bowen, says it is equally important to make sure children are in school on a regular basis.

The Education Department says there is less absenteeism this year and that they have made it easier for some schools to vary the timing of their school holidays.

But the campaigners say that is not enough. Now, the fight over term-time travel is heading to the courts.