MID-Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston urged the Government to adopt a more flexible and approach to the rules on school term time holidays, and to consider the local tourism industry.
Fifteen MPs spoke during a debate in Westminster Hall and called on the Government to reconsider the changes to school term time holiday policy that were introduced in September 2013.
Mr Huddleston said: “I am concerned about the tourism sector in particular. The situation does not just affect coastal towns and the south-west. I represent Mid Worcestershire, with no coast whatever, where this is an issue as well.
“It is no exaggeration to say that those who work in the sector are among the hardest-working people in the country, and that is never more the case than during the school holidays, and particularly the summer break.
“According to a 2014 study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, proportionately more people are self-employed in the travel and tourism sector than in the economy as a whole.
“Many of those people are small business owners running bed and breakfasts, restaurants and shops, and of course many of them will have families.
“It goes without saying, therefore, that we would not expect those who work in the holiday industry to go on holiday during their busiest time of the year.
“It just so happens that the tourism sector’s busiest time is almost every other sector’s downtime. Many who work in the tourism sector are therefore not able to take a family holiday during official school holiday times. They are effectively penalised simply because of their choice to work in that sector. I therefore sincerely hope that flexibility and common sense will prevail.”
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