Kent and Medway truancy fines show 17% increase

Figures obtained by BBC South East have shown there was a 17% increase in penalty notices issued to Kent and Medway parents for taking their children out of school in term time last year.

Penalty notices issued in Kent and Medway in the past year raised over £200,000.

Parent Chris Epps, who believes the fines are unfair, said his was "completely wrong", but Kent county councillor Roger Gough said it was right to give a strong signal that education mattered.

Chris McGovern, of Campaign for Real Education, said it was the responsibility of parents to make sure their children were educated.