Term-time Holidays

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts
Thursday 19th May 2016

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Gibb Portrait Mr Gibb
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My hon. Friend makes a good point, and we must emphasise evidence that suggests that even small absences from school will have a long-term impact on a child’s education. As I set out in my opening remarks, a lot of education is linear, and children must learn one thing before they learn another. If a teacher is not able to provide a catch-up lesson for that child, they will permanently miss out on a crucial part of their education.

Andrew Bridgen Portrait Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)
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Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government have taken positive steps to reduce the cost of family holidays, and therefore the financial incentive to take term-time absence? By reducing air passenger duty for children’s tickets to zero, last year 4.5 million children under 12 flew tax free, and this year more than 7.5 million of those under 16 will fly tax free.

Nick Gibb Portrait Mr Gibb
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My hon. Friend made that point better than I could have done.