As we all move into the summer season, we want to have an honest conversation about summer holidays.
Are we really to believe the gaslighting from those in power and within the education system, that missing even one day of school completely cripples a child? Is the education system really that fragile? Are children so helpless without teachers watching over them constantly?
Or is it simpler than that. The same government that refuses to legislate against price gouging during the summer holidays is making substantially more money from those price increases. Summer peak prices run up to 60% higher than May half-term, and August flights can cost 167% more than the cheapest month to fly. That’s not a coincidence, it’s an education tax on families who have no choice but to travel when school says so.
And it’s the same government that will fine you hundreds for wanting to save that money by travelling off-peak. In Lincolnshire alone, 3,332 penalty notices were issued to parents in a single year for taking their children on holiday. Nationally, nearly 460,000 fines were handed out last year for the same “crime.”
It is nothing short of heartless, to pile even more money problems onto struggling parents over something as harmless as a family holiday.
They claim family holidays will damage a child’s education. Frankly, we know that to be ridiculous.
What’s actually damaging is fining parents who cannot afford peak-season travel costs, leaving some families unable to take a holiday at all.
Are holidays a requirement of modern life? No. But in a world where more and more stress and homework is lumped onto children and teens, and where parents are stretched thinner and budgets made tighter, is it too much to ask for some dedicated time to rest, recharge, and yes, have a bit of fun?
Restore Britain pledges to scrap these unreasonable rules and allow every family up to five days of authorised term-time leave each year, giving parents and children the chance to spend quality time together, explore new places, and create lifelong memories.
It’s just plain and simple common sense. Please share this if you agree.
Summer peak pricing 30-60% above May half-term, term-time fine amounts (£80/£160), prosecution threshold
UK School Holidays 2026: 6 Breaks & Real Family Costs — https://www.endlesstravelplans.com/guides/strategic-planning/uk-school-holidays-2026-family-travel-guide
18% per-person school-holiday premium
Summer Family Holidays UK 2026: Budget Guide & Tips — https://getsmartsaver.co.uk/summer-family-holidays-uk-2026/
August flights 167% more expensive than cheapest month (January)
GoCompare, “School’s out: The hefty cost of family travel” — https://www.gocompare.com/travel-insurance/family-travel-cost-school-holidays/
Lincolnshire: 3,576 penalty notices in 2022-23, 3,332 (93%) for holidays
Lincolnshire World, “Record number of fines issued to Lincolnshire parents…” — https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/lincolnshire/gainsborough/record-number-of-fines-issued-to-lincolnshire-parents-withdrawing-kids-from-school-to-go-on-holiday-4450274
459,000 fines issued nationally in 2024/25 for unauthorised family holidays
Yorkshire Post, “Two authority areas among highest for parent fines…” — https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/two-authority-areas-among-highest-for-parent-fines-for-unauthorised-holidays-5598184