FINES for parents who take their children out of school during term time could be put on hold while Devon County Council review the current policy.

At the moment those who take their children on holiday during term time are given a fine of £60 per child. This amount has the potential to accumulate to £1,000 if the initial fine goes unpaid.

Devon County Council is being asked to approve a moratorium and order a scrutiny committee to take a look at the unpopular measure.

Schools will still issue warning letters for unauthorised absences, however the process of issuing fines will be put on hold while the policy is reviewed by the council.

Cornwall Council has already suspended issuing some fines to parents. In the past two years, Cornwall Council has issued eight penalty notices to parents and it says the policy over unauthorised absences remains the same.

However, a council spokesperson said that ‘isolated’ absences would not be subject to fines.