Parents get cheap holiday deals

Many families find it hard to take a break during school holidays

Parents in Cumbria are being offered cut-price holiday deals in an effort to reduce term time absences.

Cumbria County Council is piloting a project to give cheap family holidays during the summer break in the hope of cutting term time trips away.

The government and the Association of British Travel agents (ABTA) are backing the scheme.

The move follows concern at the number of children who miss school to take cheaper holidays during term time.

Joan Stocker, cabinet member for education at Cumbria County Council, said: "I am pleased that we are piloting this scheme to help parents in Cumbria.

'Financial penalty'

"It is tempting for parents to take their children out of school for family holidays to take advantage of the significant discounts available, but parents also need to weigh these savings against the cost of lost education.

"I appreciate that we as a county provide holidays for others and lots of people in Cumbria work in the holiday trade making it harder to take a break in school holidays.

"However regular school attendance is so important for children to make sure they get the best possible opportunity to achieve their full potential."

Stephen Mason, the authority's senior education officer for attendance and exclusion, added: "We want to counter balance the market forces and offset the financial penalty for parents who place a high value on their child's education and take their family holiday in school holiday times."