Fines for term-time holidays reached a record high of 459,288 last year, as parents accepted penalties to snap up cheaper deals. Term-time holiday fines accounted for 93 per cent of all penalties issued for unauthorised school absence. The cost of flights and accommodation can be more than double for a family to travel during the school holidays, as travel companies cash in on high demand. Fines are issued by individual councils, which has historically led to variation in the rate of fines issued in different local authority areas. Fines issued for unauthorised holidays in term time have been increasing since 2020/21.