Term-time Holidays

Justin Madders Excerpts
Thursday 19th May 2016

(8 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nick Gibb Portrait Mr Gibb
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My hon. Friend makes a good point. A 10% absence rate equates to one day off a fortnight, and I do not think we should encourage that type of attendance record in our schools.

Justin Madders Portrait Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)
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We have heard a lot from the Minister about tackling the symptoms of the problem, but I do not believe enough is being done to tackle the cause, which is companies getting away with charging astronomical prices in holiday time and ordinary prices in term time. When will the Government do something to tackle the rip-off culture that pervades our society?

Nick Gibb Portrait Mr Gibb
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That issue was examined some years ago, and it was determined that it is not a case of the holiday companies ripping off their consumers. Hotels around the world and in this country simply charge higher rates during the summer months and the peak seasons than they do out of peak, which is a matter of market economics.