Fines for missing school in the UK. In the UK, taking your child out of school for even a few days of holiday can lead to serious consequences. While in Poland such absences are often overlooked, British parents can face high fines. In just two years, more than 20,000 fines were issued in Manchester alone, with the total amount exceeding £1.4 million (about 7 million złoty).
How much are the fines and what happens if you break the rules more than once?
The UK government has set strict rules:
- The first fine is £80 (around 400 zł),
- If not paid within 21 days, it rises to £160 (approx. 800 zł),
- A second fine for the same child is also £160,
- If there is a third violation, the case can go to court, where the penalties are much more severe:
- up to £2,500 in fines (about 12,500 zł),
- community service,
- or even up to 3 months in prison.
New rules also limit the number of fines. Parents can only receive two fines in three years for the same child before legal action is taken.
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Why does the UK take this so seriously?
Julie Reid, a city councillor in Manchester, says it’s not about punishing parents but about giving children the best chance for success. “The more time a student spends in school, the better they do,” she explains. Fines are used only when other methods of encouraging attendance don’t work.
It’s different in Poland
In Poland, there is no system of fines like in the UK. Schools may report students with frequent absences, but fines worth thousands of złoty for just a few days off are unheard of. For many Polish families living in the UK, however, this is a real issue. Every time they plan a short holiday outside school time, they risk being fined.