£100 fines for truants' parents "a publicity stunt that fails to support families" - Dakers and Khalsa

3.56.42pm GMT Mon 17th Jan 2005

Will £100 fines for truants' parents really get kids back in school?

Last week's announcement that Hounslow parents will face £100 fines if their children have poor attendance records was today branded a "publicity stunt" by Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidates Andrew Dakers (Brentford & Isleworth) and Satnam Kaur Khalsa (Feltham & Heston).

Andrew Dakers commented:

"£100 fines are a knee jerk reaction to a problem that requires long term solutions. Councillor Ruth Cadbury's claims that Hounslow has a good record of attendance are simply not true. Truancy figures have soared in England since Labour came to power in 1997, and Hounslow Borough is no exception."

Satnam Kaur Khalsa added:

"This is clearly just another publicity stunt that fails to support families. What parents need is more support from a better funded social services, not £100 fines that they are unlikely to be able to afford to pay. Only by providing social services with the resources they need can we hope to encourage family environments where truancy is unacceptable and children are encouraged to attend school."