Dudley Council has voted to 'call out' companies that jack up holiday prices to make extra profits when schools are closed, a move that could affect working-class families and force them into debt.
Council Motion Targets Holiday Price Gouging
At a meeting of the full council on July 13, an amended motion was approved which recognised inflated prices could affect working-class families and force them into debt. The original motion, from Cllr Steve Edwards of The Black Country Party, recommended the council demand a change in the law to allow children to be taken out of school for up to ten days in term time for holidays.
Councillors however voted to accept an amendment from Labour which shifted the emphasis onto calling out 'companies whose policies disproportionately disadvantage working class families'.
Labour Amendment Shifts Focus
Speaking to propose the amendment, Cllr Sue Ridney said: 'As a borough we have been recognised as not being at national attainment levels, the only way we can improve attainment levels for children in our schools is for those children to be in school.'
Labour Cllr Qasim Mughal, who works as a teacher, said: 'If a child is considered persistently absent, which is 90 percent or lower, only 40 percent of those children pass their maths and English.'
Cross-Party Support for Calling Out Profiteering
The amendment found support from Conservative councillors, including Dudley cabinet member for children's services, Cllr Wayne Little. Cllr Little said: 'I'm accountable for the outcomes of our children, data doesn't lie, it's about empowering our children to work their way out of poverty.'
Fellow Tory Cllr Adam Davies added: 'Ten days represents five percent of the school year so ten days out would mean a five percent reduction in the chances of success.'
Reform UK also supported pressure on holiday companies rather than abolishing fines for parents who take children out of school. The party's Dudley deputy leader, Cllr Shaun Keasey said: 'The reality is many parents are priced out of travelling during official school holidays because of significant increases in holiday costs. Looking at those wider market pressures is a sensible and constructive approach.'
