Overview

• The UK government announces a 33% increase in fines for unauthorised school absences in England, raising penalties from £60 to £80 initially, with a subsequent increase to £160 if not paid within 28 days.
• New national guidelines require a fine to be considered if a child misses five days of school over a 10-week period, aiming to standardise the approach across local authorities.
• The measures, including the fine increase and the requirement for schools to share daily attendance data, are part of a broader effort to boost school attendance post-pandemic.
• Critics argue that higher fines may penalize struggling families without effectively addressing the root causes of absenteeism, such as mental health issues and economic hardship.
• Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasizes improving attendance as her top priority, while opponents call for more targeted resources to understand and mitigate the reasons behind absences.