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| Truancy falls as record number of parents are fined | Truancy falls as record number of parents are fined |
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| Record numbers of parents in England have been issued with truancy fines, as the number of pupils persistently missing classes falls, data shows. | Record numbers of parents in England have been issued with truancy fines, as the number of pupils persistently missing classes falls, data shows. |
| Government statistics show the number of truancy penalty notices issued went up by more than a quarter in the academic year 2012-13 to 52,370. | Government statistics show the number of truancy penalty notices issued went up by more than a quarter in the academic year 2012-13 to 52,370. |
| The data shows 300,895 pupils were "persistently absent" (missing 15% of school) - down from 333,850 in 2011-12. | |
| Education Secretary Michael Gove said there was no excuse for missing school. | Education Secretary Michael Gove said there was no excuse for missing school. |
| The figures show that 52,370 penalty notices of £60 were issued to parents and guardians for a child's unauthorised absence from school in 2012-13 - up from 41,224 (27%) in the previous year, 2011-12. | The figures show that 52,370 penalty notices of £60 were issued to parents and guardians for a child's unauthorised absence from school in 2012-13 - up from 41,224 (27%) in the previous year, 2011-12. |
| Of the fines handed out in the last academic year, 27,977 were paid within 28 days, after which the fine doubles to £120. | Of the fines handed out in the last academic year, 27,977 were paid within 28 days, after which the fine doubles to £120. |
| In 7,806 cases, a parent was prosecuted for non-payment of a fine, up 23% from 2011-12. | In 7,806 cases, a parent was prosecuted for non-payment of a fine, up 23% from 2011-12. |
| Mr Gove said: "There is no excuse for skipping school. We have taken action to reduce absence by increasing fines and encouraging schools to address the problem earlier. | Mr Gove said: "There is no excuse for skipping school. We have taken action to reduce absence by increasing fines and encouraging schools to address the problem earlier. |
| "Today's figures show we are making progress, with 130,000 fewer pupils regularly missing school under this government. | "Today's figures show we are making progress, with 130,000 fewer pupils regularly missing school under this government. |
| "Alongside our measures to give teachers powers to search pupils and impose same-day detentions, this demonstrates our determination to get tough on bad behaviour." | "Alongside our measures to give teachers powers to search pupils and impose same-day detentions, this demonstrates our determination to get tough on bad behaviour." |