Ban on term time holidays

This government is talking about banning parents from taking their children out of school during term time when holidays are cheaper than at holiday time. There is talk about withdrawing benefit payments but there would be quite a lot of opposition to this idea. Schools can already take court action with fines imposed on parents who's children regularly miss lessons.They can be fined £50 and if they refuse to pay they can be can fined £2,000 or face a prison sentence But many refuse to pay and the courts are reluctant to put parents in jail. More than 8,700 parents were found guilty of letting their children skip school between 2005 and 2009. Only 55 parents were jailed. There is no need for Michael Gove to bring in new legislation all that is required is for the courts to carry out the powers that they already have and show a bit of back bone.