MORE than 1,500 parents in Wiltshire have been fined for taking their children out of school during term-time.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show Wiltshire Council charged 1,588 parents in 2014 on behalf of the government.

Parents who break the rules must pay a £60 fine – £120 if not paid in 21 days.

Craig Langman from campaign group Parents Want a Say, said that the fines were “ridiculous” and an “infringement of human rights”.

“Some people can’t even afford to pay the fine,” he said.

“It penalises people who have worked hard all of their lives.”

The group wants an end to the fines and an online petition has attracted more than 200,000 signatures so far.

Mr Langman said the group had surveyed 3,000 people who signed the petition and 87 per cent said they would vote for a party that pledged to end the fines.

“That is just a snapshot of the 225,000 people who signed our petition,” he said.

“It is a huge number and could potentially change the outcome of the election.”

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) recently came out against the ban after Paul Clements, a father from Romford, Essex, announced he was going to the European courts to challenge a £60 fine imposed by Havering Council for taking his daughter out of school to attend a Jewish festival.

Mr Clements said it was unfair that parents had no independent appeal against the fines.

Last year the Local Government Association warned that, under the current rules, parents looking to travel abroad during school holidays could be forced to pay more than double what it would cost during term-time, with holiday companies often ratcheting up prices in the school holidays.

David Simmonds, Chairman of the LGA’s Children and Young People Board, said: “Ensuring every child has a good school attendance is of paramount concern for everyone working with children.

“However, common sense must prevail in cases when mums and dads ask to take their child out of school during term-time if there is a legitimate reason. An outright ban is too simplistic, and doesn’t recognise family life and circumstances aren’t always so black and white.”

n Have you been fined for taking your children out of school? Contact newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk