School holiday row being debated by MPs after thousands sign petition
The controversy over holiday companies charging extra during school holidays was being debated by MPs today after an e-petition received almost 170,000 signatures.
The e-petition highlighted the importance of "family time", and raised concerns about holiday companies "cashing in on school holidays".
The reforms have already had an impact. Last month, a couple from Telford were fined £630 and ordered to pay £300 in costs after taking their children on a week-long break during the school term.
Stewart Sutherland and wife Natasha treated their two daughters, aged 15 and 13, and their six-year-old son, to a holiday on the Greek island of Rhodes in September but failed to get school authorisation.
Mr Sutherland, who works as a Ministry of Defence guard, insisted work commitments had prevented the family taking a break during the summer and refused to pay the original £360 penalty, resulting in a summons to court.
Today's petition states: "Family time is so much more essential in the current working world, but so many people cannot afford holidays in school holidays."
The response to the e-petition on the Government website said there is "fierce competition" in the holiday market and that holiday companies seek to make a reasonable profit during the peak periods
