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MPs debating cost of going away in school holidays MPs debating cost of going away in school holidays
(about 1 hour later)
MPs are debating ways to stop holiday prices rising during school holidays.MPs are debating ways to stop holiday prices rising during school holidays.
Ideas being discussed include the possibility of staggering holiday dates and making it easier for parents to take children away in term time.
Liberal Democrat John Hemming said the issue of prices was a "considerable concern" for many people.
The Westminster Hall debate was prompted by an e-petition - signed by more than 167,000 people - calling for a cap on price increases.The Westminster Hall debate was prompted by an e-petition - signed by more than 167,000 people - calling for a cap on price increases.
Other proposed solutions include making it easier for parents to take children away in term time, and staggering school holiday dates to reduce peaks.
The government said the holidays industry was "extremely competitive" and relied on peak times for profits.The government said the holidays industry was "extremely competitive" and relied on peak times for profits.
The petition says: "Family time is so much more essential in the current working world, but so many people cannot afford holidays in school holidays.The petition says: "Family time is so much more essential in the current working world, but so many people cannot afford holidays in school holidays.
"A break at home is not the same as getting away from it all where there isn't any housework or DIY to get done; instead focus is on family."A break at home is not the same as getting away from it all where there isn't any housework or DIY to get done; instead focus is on family.
"It's time to stop the holiday companies cashing in on school holidays and let parents have some guilt-free family time! Enforce action that caps the percentage increase on holiday prices in school holidays.""It's time to stop the holiday companies cashing in on school holidays and let parents have some guilt-free family time! Enforce action that caps the percentage increase on holiday prices in school holidays."
'Parent trap''Parent trap'
Mother-of-two Donna Thresher from Essex set up the petition in March last year after being "outraged" at the £600 difference in the cost of taking her family away for a weekend during the holidays.Mother-of-two Donna Thresher from Essex set up the petition in March last year after being "outraged" at the £600 difference in the cost of taking her family away for a weekend during the holidays.
In a response to the petition, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "The UK holiday industry is an extremely competitive market and as a result the sector relies on the profits from peak periods to make sure it can trade throughout the year.In a response to the petition, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills said: "The UK holiday industry is an extremely competitive market and as a result the sector relies on the profits from peak periods to make sure it can trade throughout the year.
"On top of this, the industry competes internationally against companies from other countries and as a result may need to increase prices during these periods."On top of this, the industry competes internationally against companies from other countries and as a result may need to increase prices during these periods.
"If there were to be any evidence of anti-competitive practices, it should be presented to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in respect of airline prices or the Office of Fair Trading (OFT)."If there were to be any evidence of anti-competitive practices, it should be presented to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in respect of airline prices or the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
"They have significant powers to investigate and act if they find examples of companies abusing a dominant position or behaving anti-competitively.""They have significant powers to investigate and act if they find examples of companies abusing a dominant position or behaving anti-competitively."
Travel firm Travelzoo, which claims taxes can add as much as £376 to outbound flights, started a separate petition calling for Airport Passenger Duty to be suspended during the school summer holidays.Travel firm Travelzoo, which claims taxes can add as much as £376 to outbound flights, started a separate petition calling for Airport Passenger Duty to be suspended during the school summer holidays.
Richard Singer, European managing director at the company, said he was prompted to act after becoming frustrated with what he calls the "parent trap" of government legislation, taxes and tour operator price rises during school holidays.Richard Singer, European managing director at the company, said he was prompted to act after becoming frustrated with what he calls the "parent trap" of government legislation, taxes and tour operator price rises during school holidays.
The debate comes after the Department for Education tightened rules on when head teachers could grant leave for family holidays.The debate comes after the Department for Education tightened rules on when head teachers could grant leave for family holidays.
Regulations on the matter were amended in September last year so that such holidays could be granted only in exceptional circumstances.Regulations on the matter were amended in September last year so that such holidays could be granted only in exceptional circumstances.
Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming, who formally proposed the debate, wants a rethink of these changes. Mr Hemming, who formally proposed the debate, wants a rethink of these changes.
He said: "The new rules were brought in 'on the nod' and were not debated before they were brought into force. It is clear that in refusing children permission to go to funerals and having little discretion for head teachers, they are too restrictive." Earlier he said: "The new rules were brought in 'on the nod' and were not debated before they were brought into force. It is clear that in refusing children permission to go to funerals and having little discretion for head teachers, they are too restrictive."
Anne Longfield, chief executive of national charity 4Children, said: "The hugely inflated prices families face when planning a holiday during the school holidays cannot be justified.Anne Longfield, chief executive of national charity 4Children, said: "The hugely inflated prices families face when planning a holiday during the school holidays cannot be justified.
"Pressures on families have been mounting over recent years with strains on job security, household finances and relationships all taking their toll.""Pressures on families have been mounting over recent years with strains on job security, household finances and relationships all taking their toll."