Keir Starmer WILL fine parents for taking kids out of school as he’s grilled by The Sun’s brilliant cabinet

FINES for parents who take their children out of school during term time are due to rise by £20 to £80 per child from September in England.

But while it's very much a postcode lottery with some local authorities imposing penalties automatically, others issue none at all.

In England, fines are currently £60 per child if paid within three weeks, and £120 if paid within four. From September this will rise to £80 and £160.

In an attempt to create a more consistent approach, new guidelines will tell schools to consider applying a fine after a pupil has missed five days of class without the head teacher’s permission.

The laws - which will make clear fines should only be used where attendance interventions have failed - will kick in from August in time for the next school year starting in September. 

The Sun's Harry Cole grills Keir Starmer with your quickfire questions:

Harry: "What is your favourite crisp flavour?

Sir Keir: "Salt and vinegar."

Harry: "Curry order?"

Sir Keir: "Well I'm vegetarian, so chana masala, vegetable curries... something like that."

Harry: "What is the worst date you ever went on?

Sir Keir: "I am not going to reveal that on your programme."

Harry: "How much is a pint of milk?"

Sir Keir: "A pint of milk is about £1.10."

Harry: "Do you have any tattoos?"

Sir Keir: "No, I don't."

Harry: "What is your weirdest habit?"

Sir Keir: "I don't know what my weirdest habit is..."

Harry: "What was the last book you read?"

Sir Keir: "I am reading ... there is book by Melissa Bailey at the moment that I'm reading, Beyond the Sea, which is an intriguing book so I'm in the middle of that. I haven't finished it yet but I'm halfway through."

Harry: "Your tipple after a hard day in the office?"

Sir Keir: "Pale Ale"

Harry: "How many people have you slept with?"

Sir Keir: "I'm not going to answer that one."

Sir Keir Starmer almost quit after the crushing defeat in the Hartlepool by-election in 2021, according to a new biography of the Labour leader.

Three years later, the former director of public prosecutions looks likely to be the next prime minister.

Obviously, the job is not in the bag until all the votes are declared but the odds are undeniably in his favour after a series of by-election triumphs and a sustained and significant lead over the Tories in the polls.

But how did the London-born lawyer manage to get there? Apart from the obvious luck of finding himself as Opposition chief at a time when the Tories are doing themselves no favours.

Many, Sir Keir included, would be quick to point to the change he brought about, including a shift from the left to the right.

Despite serving in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet for several years, the Labour Party of 2024 looks very different to the one that suffered its worst defeat in 84 years back in 2019.

Sir Keir was ruthless in distancing the party from his predecessor - and even swiftly suspended Mr Corbyn after he claimed that antisemitism within Labour had been “dramatically overstated for political reasons” in response to a damning report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

He also made major constitutional changes to the Labour Party rulebook - which infuriated the left.

And despite leaving him open to accusations of being a major flip-flopper, he dropped several policy pledges made during his leadership campaign, including ending outsourcing in the NHS.

The team of people around him also looks unrecognisable from just a few years back.

In the last reshuffle, Sir Keir promoted a handful of Blairites to the shadow cabinet and his squad of advisers now includes the likes of former civil servant and Partygate interrogator Sue Gray.

While so far the Labour leader has been unwilling to set out any clear policies, it is evident the party is no longer scared to take on issues that were once traditionally seen as weak points for the party.  Some of these include the economy and illegal migration. Many would also say his leadership has been instrumental in fostering a sense of unity within party - but perhaps when things go well, it is not that difficult to get along.

By Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

There’s no doubt prices soar as soon as the school gates shut – but is there anything you can do to mitigate this?

Soaring demand will always lead to higher prices but savvy families can cut costs with some research and perhaps a change in their holiday choices.

GO LATER FOR LESS: The first weeks of the school holidays are always the most popular period in the summer to head away and they can be the most expensive time to travel.

However, data from flight-comparison site Skyscanner has found that, on average, people can save 44 per cent by travelling in the last week instead of the first week of the holidays.

HEAD NORTH: For those in the north of England, check prices for departures to popular destinations from Edinburgh or Glasgow airports.

With Scottish schools breaking up earlier – and going back earlier – you might be able to reduce flight costs by choosing to travel from Scotland instead of a north of England airport.

Find out the term dates in neighbouring counties across the country.

If they vary by a week or two, it may garner savings travelling from another airport a little further from your usual.

CHECK SCHOOL HOLS DATES ABROAD: Many European countries – including France – don’t have a May half-term so accommodation may be cheaper and the areas less busy.

In the US, many resume class in early or mid-August – good for those travelling to Florida.

WHAT’S IN A DAY? Try not to rigidly adhere to weekend-to-weekend departures.

Data shows it is often cheaper to travel midweek to midweek.

Use tools on flight-booking platforms and comparison sites to see if travelling a day or two earlier or later than planned can save cash.

MIX UP THE DESTINATION: Heading to less popular airports abroad is also savvy.

Skyscanner’s travel trends expert Laura Lindsay says: “You may be looking at prices to a popular location like Naples in Italy but is there a better price when you consider somewhere less well known, like Bari in Puglia instead?”

USE FREE CHILD PLACE FINDERS: While you are still paying above the odds, it does pay to look at the early bargains big tour operators offer, including free child places.

There are “free child place finder” tools on websites from major firms including Jet2, TUI and First Choice.

DITCH ALL-INCLUSIVE HOTEL RESORTS FOR VALUE CAMPING PARKS: For families, having lots for the kids to do is essential but it doesn’t have to be at an expensive resort.

Look for deals on mobile homes in European holiday parks through the likes of Eurocamp, Siblu, Canvas Holidays and Huttopia.

Prices for mobile homes with plenty of space for the whole family will be very competitive compared to hotels.

But the sites still have oodles of pools, sporting activities, entertainment and kids clubs.