Responding to a Parentkind survey which found that half of parents oppose the policy of fines being considered if a child misses five days of school without permission, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union, NAHT said:

“Ultimately fines are a blunt tool. Many teachers and leaders are already doing a huge amount to help support children back into school, and attendance figures have started to improve.

“The best way for the government to tackle the causes behind persistent absence is to fund those services that support both families and schools – which faced devastating cuts under the austerity of the last government. We would like to see key roles like education welfare officers funded again.”