Written question asked by Baroness May of Maidenhead (Conservative) on Monday, 23 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 April 2001. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 30 April 2001 on behalf of the Department for Education and Employment.

Dept for Education and Employment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, if he will make a statement on the average level of fine imposed on parents for allowing their child to truant. - Inc figures and fact that full details on the average level of fine are not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. (Holding answer 26 April 2001).

Answer: Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the average level of fine imposed on parents for allowing their child to truant. [158842] Jacqui Smith: [holding answer 26 April 2001]: Absence from school for no good reason is a serious matter. That is why we have introduced a range of measures designed to reduce the level of truancy. This includes a higher penalty for parents convicted of school attendance offences, which came into force on 1 March 2001. Parents convicted of school attendance offences can, as before, face a fine of up to £1,000 per parent per child. However under the new higher penalty for persistent and aggravated truancy, they could be fined a maximum fine of £2,500 per parent per child. While full details on the average level of fine imposed on parents convicted of school attendance offences are not collated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, we do know that fines were often as low as £20 under the previous fines regime. Under the new arrangements, however, magistrates will be able to impose a higher level of fine, typically £100-£200, that matches the seriousness of the offence. In addition, if prosecuted under the higher penalty, parents will have to turn up in court and face the consequences of their action. If they do not do so, they face arrest.

Secondary information