PARENTS across Essex were issued with more than 10,000 penalty notices for children not attending school – the second highest in the country.
A Freedom of Information request found the number of penalty notices issued for unauthorised absences during 2018/19 had risen.
In Essex, 10,848 notices were issued during the 12 months, up 24.2 per cent on the previous year.
Parents can be issued with a penalty notice if their child misses school without permission.
Reasons include truancy and holidays in term time.
The fines are £60 per child, per parent, if you pay within 21 days and £120 per child, per parent, if you pay within 28 days.
An Essex County Council spokesman said: “Parents have a legal duty to ensure their children attend school regularly in accordance with the rules prescribed by the school.”
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