Time is running out to voice your concerns on the Labour government’s proposed imposition of VAT on private school fees, with the consultation closing at 23:59 tomorrow, Sunday 15th September.
This decision will have serious consequences for independent and comprehensive schools, affecting students, parents, and staff nationwide.
PLEASE EMAIL: IndependentSchools@HMTreasury.gov.uk to say you don’t approve of them imposing VAT on fees paid by parents.
Worryingly, the consultation has been poorly publicised, with MPs reportedly not informed and key contact details buried within lengthy documents on the government website. Many are questioning whether this has been a deliberate move to limit responses.
The legislation would impose VAT on fees paid by parents to independent schools, potentially driving up costs and reducing accessibility for many families.
This will place additional pressure on the state school system, as families might be forced to transfer their children from private to comprehensive schools. The impact on both sectors could be significant, with private schools facing reduced enrolment, and comprehensive schools seeing increased demand.
In fact Labour’s politics of envy could mean over 200,000 extra pupils enter the state system at a cost of around £1.7 billion. MORE than the entire revenue they plan to raise from the VAT hike.
The email to submit responses (by tomorrow) is: independentschools@hmtreasury.gov.uk.
PLEASE send a quick email. This is our last chance to make a difference on a matter that could reshape education across the country. Don’t let this opportunity pass us by—have your say today!
Here is the letter we wrote:
Don’t agree with Labours idea on Vat for private schools fees
Here is the letter I wrote with all supporting arguments in case it helps.
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed introduction of VAT on school fees.
Education is, by its very nature, a charitable cause. Imposing VAT on school fees would have several adverse effects:
1. Increased Financial Burden on Families: Introducing VAT would significantly raise the cost of education for families who choose independent schools for their children. This added expense could make it financially untenable for many families, limiting their freedom to select the educational environment best suited to their children’s needs.
2. Strain on the State Education System: As independent education becomes less affordable due to increased fees, many students may be forced to transfer to state schools. This influx could place additional pressure on already stretched public resources, potentially affecting the quality of education for all students.
3. Impact on Charitable Contributions and Community Support: Many independent schools have charitable status and contribute extensively to their local communities through scholarships, bursaries, and community outreach programs. Additional taxation could reduce their capacity to provide these vital services, adversely affecting disadvantaged students who benefit from such initiatives.
4. Economic Consequences: Independent schools are significant employers and contribute to the local and national economy. A decrease in student enrollment due to higher fees could lead to job losses and reduced economic activity in surrounding areas.
5. Erosion of Educational Diversity and Choice: The availability of independent schools adds diversity to the educational landscape, fostering innovation and providing alternatives that cater to varied learning needs. Taxing school fees may diminish this diversity, undermining the richness of the UK’s educational offerings.
6. International Competitiveness: The UK’s independent schools are renowned globally, attracting international students and fostering cultural exchange. Increased costs could make the UK a less attractive destination for education, impacting not only the schools but also the broader economy through reduced international engagement.
7. Lack of Historical Evidence Supporting the Policy: There is no clear historical evidence to support the claims made by proponents of this policy. In countries where similar taxes have been implemented on educational services, the anticipated benefits—such as increased revenue for public education or reduced inequality—have not materialized as expected. Instead, such measures have sometimes led to unintended negative consequences, including decreased accessibility to quality education and greater financial strain on middle-income families.
Unproven Revenue Gains: Projections of substantial revenue generation from taxing school fees are speculative. Without concrete historical data demonstrating successful outcomes from similar policies, relying on these projections is risky and could result in budget shortfalls if the anticipated funds do not materialize.
Ineffectiveness in Addressing Inequality: The assumption that taxing independent schools will reduce educational inequality lacks empirical support. Historical attempts to level the playing field through taxation have often overlooked the complex factors contributing to inequality, such as disparities in public school funding, resource allocation, and socio-economic factors affecting student performance.
Potential for Adverse Effects: Implementing VAT on school fees without solid evidence of its efficacy may lead to more harm than good. The policy could inadvertently widen the gap it aims to close by overburdening families and schools, thereby diminishing educational quality and accessibility across the board.
In light of these concerns, I urge you to reconsider the introduction of VAT on school fees. Without clear historical evidence to support the proposed benefits, moving forward with this policy poses unnecessary risks to the educational system and society at large. Preserving the accessibility and diversity of educational options is essential for nurturing the potential of future generations and maintaining the strength of our educational system.
Thank you for considering my views on this important matter.
Yours faithfully,
Great letter. Thank you.
Don’t agree with Labours idea on Vat for private schools fees
This is mean political incompetence
This is mean political incompetence And doesn’t help anyone. Why not ask for a donation from all state school parents and you would raise much more money. And parents would feel they can make a contribution I know plenty of state school parents who earn much more than private school parents. Sen kids disaster for all children as they need so much more help. Keep them in the private sector
I strongly disagree with Labour’s policy of spite in adding vat to private school fees. It makes no economic sense as it will cost more to provide state school places for those forced to leave their current school. The trauma caused to these young people is disgraceful and envious; to what end? Political wickedness by Starmer, “just because he can.”
I totally disagree with putting VAT on private school fees. The majority of people who put their children in private schools are hard working individuals. Children attend private schools for many different reasons, such as small classes and extra assistance for those children struggling with learning. By putting VAT on private schools, will result in more children going into the state school system and those children who require that extra support suffering as a result of it. What is more important a child’s welfare or financial gain!
I don’t agree with Labours policy of adding VAT to School Fees !
Don’t agree with Labours idea on Vat for private schools fees
I don’t agree with labours Vat policy on independent schools and the way it’s managed. It will cause harm to so many innocent children.
Totally inappropriate tax on those already taxed to the top levels
I don’t agree with Labours VAT policy on Independent Schools fees. This is unfair and unjust and will have a huge impact on our future generations.
Totally against this. You should be refunding us for taking the pressure of state schools.
I don’t agree with labours Vat policy on independent schools and the way it’s managed. It will cause harm to so many innocent children.
From the champagne socialism of Tony Blair and his legislation to ban outright any new grammar schools, to the blatant ‘secret’ communism that is Kier Starmer: Why do socialists have so much hatred and spite for private schools?
From Henry the Eighth’s time, quality education has been seen as a national necessity to maintain our echelons of polite society and standards, especially considering the decades of social and educational decay, through the 1960’s to the 1990’s, of many horrific labour run comprehensive schools. Kier Starmer is not only a hypocrite, but an outright danger to quality education and parents’ right to choose their children’s path to a good future, and not a comprehensive school renamed as an ‘academy ‘.
Reigate Grammar School surely must have burnt his effigy by now?
Comprehensive education has led to the dismantling of education and discipline in this country. Parents are working harder to ensure their children are having a chance of a good education. By this government removing assistance of vat on school fees, it could drive many parents to state education, adding to the pressure already realized in comprehensive schools.
I strongly don’t agree with Labour Government’s VAT policy on Private Schools.
Why are the Government damaging the education system in this country by placing VAT on private schools and driving children out of this sector. I strongly object to this proposal.
Don’t agree on increase on school fees via 20% vat increase
The proposal to impose VAT on private school fees is a tax on children. It will commence an exodus of children from private schools which will obviously impose a further strain on the public sector.
I strongly disagree with this ill-conceived proposal to make the fees of independent schools subject to VAT.
If enacted as planned, this will cause very considerable damage to students by disrupting their education – and, in the case of current GCSE and A-Level students, their exam results will be further impacted by upheaval in the middle of the educational year.
In planning to punish parents (who have chosen to sacrifice so much, to offer their children what they believe to be their best chance in life), the government has shown callous disregard for the need even to ensure places for these children in the State system; this, when it is known that the State scheme is already overburdened and extra places do not exist.
Furthermore, for children already in State education, will the “advantage of less-than-one-extra-teacher-per-school” offset the loss of bursaries, access to specialist subjects, use of sports facilities etc – all currently provided by independent schools to the State sector at no cost?
The ultimate folly is that the Government’s proposal will cost substantially more (via the need to provide for the influx of pupils) than the VAT scheme can hope to bring in.
I firmly oppose this proposal.
I come from a working class family – from a Council Estate in the Isle of Dogs, East London. My Father worked in the Docks, and my Mother was a cleaner. I grew up bordering on extreme poverty. We didn’t have carpets – just newspaper stuck to the floor. Bedding was sparse and whatever were curtains were taken down at night, and used as Bedding – together with layers of coats and clothing.
I don’t come from a family that sends their children to private school – but, even in my 50s i still recall how bad my school life was – disruptive classes – lack of opportunities- so much frustration of not being able to learn that I wanted to scream – I still do. I was a very bright teenager, but has little opportunity- my career’s adviser at school said a good opportunity for me would to work in a typing pool. I was mercilessly bullied at school and I don’t look back at my school days in any rosy light. I made the choice to send my children to Private school for secondary education, as I didn’t want them to have my experiences. We’re not posh, rich, or elitist – why should my children be penalised because I wanted them to experience a better time at school than me ? I already pay taxes to fund state schools, why should I be further penalised when I’m already struggling to make ends meet? It’s WRONG. Tax the super rich- not me!
It costs the state £6,500 pa to educate a child in a state school so despite paying taxes, I am saving the state this cost and now they want to charge me an extra £2k per year for sending my child to a private school. The fees are a stretch for me as it is. I choose this school after my child struggled in a state school due to the class size and stressed out teachers.
I strongly oppose imposing value-added tax (VAT) on tuition fees. This will cause confusion and significant harm not only to parents but also to students.
I strongly disagree with Labours VAT policy on independent schools.
Here’s mine. Feel free to copy and paste!
Dear HM Treasury,
I don’t approve of imposing VAT on private school fees paid by parents.
The reason is because this will only further increase inequality in our society.
There are many working parents including myself who work hard daily to make our ends meet and to pay our bills. Our dream is to be able to provide good living standards for our family and a good future for our children. However, the government is introducing many policies including VAT on private schools that take resources away from us and set us back from our dreams. We are by no means wealthy and such a tax will directly affect our day to day well being and our spending.
Meanwhile, I have not seen meaningful commitments to dramatically improve resourcing in schools. On the contrary, I see there are many studies that warn such a tax will dramatically increase the number of students entering the state system, thus putting more pressure on the limited resources available. An example of such a study is here: https://conservativepost.co.uk/labours-vat-hike-on-private-schools-will-mean-200000-extra-pupils-enter-state-system-costing-1-7-billion/
In the end, such a tax will result in possibly a worse state education system while putting pressure on working families who aspire to provide more for their families and children. People who are already wealthy are least affected by the tax and will enjoy a more exclusive private education system.
VAT on private school fees does not make sense. Please take this back to the drawing board and work out a better solution.
Yours Faithfully,
xxxx
Don’t agree with Labours idea on Vat for private schools fees
I strongly disagree with Labours policy to adding VAT on independent schools.
I strongly don’t agree with the Labour idea about vat policy for private schools.
I strongly disagree with Labour’s policy of spite in adding vat to private school fees. It makes no economic sense as it will cost more to provide state school places for those forced to leave their current school. The trauma caused to these young people is disgraceful and envious; to what end?
i am disagree for vat for private school plz stop this all student and parents badly effect for this decision