Government plans to crack down hard on parents whose children aren’t in school have been criticised in Leeds as a “massive stick” which “won’t help” improve attendance.
Local Labour councillor Hannah Bithell said the proposals, which could be introduced as part of the new Schools Bill going through Parliament, would simply add to the woes of troubled families.
Under the plans as they stand, parents could face penalties if their child is absent from school for five days without adequate explanation. The government’s intention is to end a “postcode lottery” system, as councils across the country have different thresholds before fines are imposed.
