November 15, 2005

(Educators) Ministers have announced plans to offer cheaper travel deals to families taking breaks in school holidays in an attempt to improve attendance.

The deal was designed to reduce the incentives for parents to take their children on holiday when they should be at school.

Officials estimated that term-time holidays account for up to one in six of all cases of truancy.

Schools Minister Jacqui Smith acknowledged that 'supply and demand' could lead to cheaper holidays during school terms.

But she went on: 'Taking a holiday during term-time can mean that children miss important school time and coursework.

'A term-time holiday is all too often seen as the rule, when it should be the exception.'

Major holiday companies such as Thomas Cook, MyTravel, BA Holidays, Virgin Holidays, and the Co-operative Group have developed special deals for the campaign.

These include: • Up to £100 saving per adult on BA Holidays' 2006 Florida summer holidays with one child staying free; • First child goes free at Butlins' holiday resorts and family prices from £209 for selected three and four night breaks over the February half term, a saving of £69 per family; • First child goes free for selected summer 2006 family holidays with Airtours.

Keith Betton, Head of Corporate Affairs at the Association of British Travel Agents, welcomed the deal.

He said: 'Although holidays bought in the UK are some of the most competitively priced in the world, supply and demand can lead to price differences in periods of peak demand.

'This campaign gives families an excellent opportunity to plan and book early to keep holiday costs down.'