Term-time holiday debate following Telford family fine

A father from Telford who was fined for taking his children out of school during term-time for a family holiday has explained why he decided to take the risk.

Stewart Sutherland and his wife Natasha hit the headlines last month when they were ordered to pay £1,000 for taking their family to the Greek island of Rhodes during the school term.

Mr Sutherland told ITV News Central there were a number of reasons people might be forced into taking term-time holidays.

These include difficulties in getting leave from jobs, as well as the expense.

MPs will debate the extra cost of a family holiday after an irate parent started a campaign to stop companies raising prices when school was out.

Read: Parents find over term time holiday

A petition inspired by Paul Cookson's initial rant climbed to 160,000 signatures earlier this month, triggering today's 4:30pm debate in Westminster Hall.

Father-of-one Cookson initially complained when he realised he would have to pay an extra £300 to take his family on holiday in the UK when term had ended.

In his complaint, which went viral, he said: “I am sick to death of being ripped off with this country.

I choose not to take my daughter out of school term away on holiday and stick to the set school holidays - but why should I be penalized by doing the correct thing as a parent??? [sic]

Read: Father's rant on holiday price changes help trigger parliamentary debate

A travel company is calling on the Government to reduce taxes for parents travelling with their children outside of the school term.

Louise Hodges from Travelzoo also says the current system, where parents are fined for taking children out of school, is "inflexible".

ITV News Central spoke to parents at Carlton Central Infant and Junior School in Nottinghamshire this morning.

Every one felt the hiking up of prices in the school holidays was unfair, and many felt they would be justified in going away during term-time.

More than 166,000 people have backed the petition to stop travel companies raising their prices during school holidays which has triggered today's MPs debate.

The online campaign received a huge boost in support after a Facebook post by an angry parent complaining about being "ripped off" by steep rise in holiday prices outside term time went viral.

Paul Cookson, 41, said he was "sick to death" of the practice after being quoted £999 for a holiday that would have cost £699 during the school year.

Read: Paul Cookson's rant on holiday prices helps trigger debate

Stewart Sutherland says people need to take children on holiday in term-time to save money and also because of the difficulty of taking leave during school holidays.

He says life is short and will be difficult for young people so they should have as much family time as they can.

The Government has come out in defence of the UK holiday industry, after a petition started by parents frustrated at the extra costs imposed on family getaways triggered a Parliamentary debate.

A spokesperson for the Department of Business said:

Read: Family holiday price debate to begin

Stewart Sutherland and his wife Natasha were fined earlier this year for taking their children to Greece during term time.

He says it's impossible to get time off during the summer holidays, at the same time as his wife, and doesn't want his children to miss out on the chance of a trip abroad.