Plan to levy fines on parents of truants 'are in disarray'

A government plan to levy fixed-term penalty fines on parents of truants is in disarray, according to research.

Figures show wide variations around the country in the number of £50 penalty notices served on parents. Bradford has delivered the most, with 659 in the year up to last August. Portsmouth is at the bottom of the table, with one.

The table shows councils are facing severe difficulties in collecting the fines - with two-thirds of Bradford's payments outstanding. As a result, parents will face court action, higher fines or even imprisonment. Bradford has initiated 395 court proceedings.

The figures, collated by Education Data Surveys, run by Professor John Howson, are expected to be disclosed at the Liberal Democrats' spring conference this morning. Professor Howson has accused authorities of being too ready to issue the penalties, without considering whether they would be effective in combating truancy.

"If you look at the figures across the country, even if you give all the parents community service you've still got a problem," he said.

"The average truant takes eight days off a year. If a child has taken eight days off by October, you want to solve that problem in October - not wait twelve months to get people back by taking the parent to court and awaiting the outcome."

He said support and a visit from the local authority truancy officer in the first instance was more likely to produce immediate results.

However, officials at Education Bradford - which runs the city's education services - argued that attendance records had improved significantly as a result of its approach.

Under the system, fines of £50 are levied, which rise to £100 if unpaid after 28 days. If the penalty is not paid by the end of 42 days, the local authority must decide whether to prosecute.