EDUCATION (PUPIL REGISTRATION) (ENGLAND) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2013

That this House acknowledges the Department for Education's desire to tackle persistent absenteeism; notes that it removed maintained schools' discretionary right to grant leave during term time for family holidays and restricted other leave to exceptional circumstances through the Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013; further notes that in 2012-13 persistent absentees had less authorised absence for family holidays (1.8 per cent of total absences) than other pupils (8.5 per cent); further notes that no evidence was gathered as to the reason why parents took holiday in term time and that no assessment of the impact of the statutory instrument (SI) was undertaken; further notes that campaign group, Parents Want a Say, has reported an impact on children with disabilities, families dealing with bereavement and trauma, parents in professions with restricted holidays as diverse as police, paramedics, bus drivers, farmers, campsite owners, carers and families with low incomes as well as business staffing requirements and the tourism industry; further notes that there is no right of appeal on the issue of a fine for unauthorised absence and that parents refusing to pay the fine are being taken to court with little hope of the individual circumstances of their case being considered; further notes that this is having a detrimental impact on the relationship between parents and schools; further notes that there is widespread public concern about the level of government interference in family life; considers it likely that blanket bans by local authorities and/or schools are against public authorities' obligations under the Human Rights legislation; and calls on the Government to repeal the SI.