PARENTS will face fines if they refuse to send their children back to school in September, the Education Secretary has revealed.
Gavin Williamson today announced families who refuse to send their kids back will be hit with financial sanctions unless they have a “good reason”.
Appearing on LBC, Mr Williamson insisted the warnings were just a sign of things getting back to normal.
He said: “It is going to be compulsory for children to return back to school unless there is a very good reason, or a local spike.
“We have to get back into compulsory education, and as part of that fines sit alongside that.
“Unless there was a good reason for the absence then we would be looking at the fact that we would be imposing fines on families if they were not sending children back.”
Earlier today the Prime Minister revealed his “ deep frustration” at some schools failing to reopen.
Appearing on Times Radio, he said: “Everyone needs to understand that schools are safe. If they can go back they should go back.
“It would be very helpful if our friends in the teachers union delivered that message, and some councils.
“Everybody must go back in September.”
