Fines for unauthorised school absence are being swallowed up by administration according to new figures uncovered by the Welsh Conservatives.

Freedom of Information requests to Welsh councils have shown that 93% of all funds generated by ‘Fixed Penalty Notices’ are being spent on the costs associated with administering the scheme.

The requests – sent to each of Wales’ 22 local authorities – showed that 11,149 fines have been issued to parents in Wales since the scheme was introduced in 2014/15, generating £423,687 in fines.

However, the administrative costs over the same period come in at a staggering £394,258 – or 93% of the money generated in fines.

It comes a week after a Welsh Government commissioned report found that the fines have had no effect on overall absence rates, and recommended a change to the system.

Commenting on the findings, Shadow Local Government Secretary Janet Finch-Saunders said:

“It’s clear that the system of fining parents isn’t having an impact on absence rates, but we didn’t previously know how much money was being wasted administering the scheme.

“It’s further evidence of a Welsh Government more interested in chasing headlines than tackling the root cause of school absence.

“The reality is that Labour’s fines hit the most vulnerable the hardest and do nothing to address the problem.”

Shadow Education Secretary, Darren Millar, said:

“We know there’s a direct link between attainment and attendance, and we should be doing all we can to ensure that children and young people are going to school.

“That said, Fixed Penalty Notices are not working and these figures are clear proof that the energy expended is not worth the effort.

“Instead of fines we need to improve access to key workers in Welsh schools who can work directly with families where attendance is a problem.”

Notes to Editors:

Individual requests available on request, on a council by council basis.