Following a recent update regarding school attendance from the Department for Education via our Primary School. I believe as a parent of three children currently studying in state-run schools, I know the importance of holidays. Besides the much-needed break, family vacations are educational and promote strong bonding within the family unit. However, the blue skies of our family holidays are blotted by the exorbitant fees commanded by holiday companies during school term breaks. These companies, aware of the school timetable, unjustifiably hike up prices by two or three times, despite their operational costs remaining relatively constant. Many families are financially unable to afford these increased prices. As such, we need the government to curtail such unethical practices by imposing price regulations on travel companies, forcing them to stop their unjustifiable and burdensome profit-making practices during school holidays. 

UK parents reportedly lose £1.3 billion per year due to these holiday price increases, according to a 2016 survey. These figures being more recently reported as parents paying up to 16x more by going in school holiday time -  as reported by Simon Calder for the Independent Newspaper.

More importantly, the unrealistic prices undermine the regular attendance of students in school. Families are tempted to holiday outside term time, putting children’s education at risk. 

We urge our government to establish regulations governing holiday pricing during school breaks, providing an equal opportunity for all families to enjoy educational and enriching holidays without being financially exploited. Together, we can promote education and family unity without compromising financial well-being. Please, sign this petition to show your support for fair holiday pricing during school breaks.