00:01Parents in the North East say quality family time is under pressure because of school fines
00:06issued when children are taken out of lessons without permission.
00:10Figures show councils in the region have issued around £1.27 million in penalty notices for
00:15unauthorised absences.
00:17Local authorities say fines are a last resort under national attendance rules.
00:21Some parents argue the system fails to recognise working patterns and financial pressures.
00:26A survey by ParentKind found about half of respondents opposed fining families' attendance
00:32thresholds.
00:33Sunderland City Council says it follows national guidance.
00:37Officials add data for 2024-25 must be ratified before release by the Department for Education.
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