Claire Ginn-Langlands

I send both of my daughters to a state school. I went to a state school. I believe 100% in the state education system. However, Labour’s new tax on private school fees is nothing other than a bitter, vindictive and petty policy that results in everyone losing out. The policy will worsen the education of every child in the UK, regardless of what school they are in, and it will result in less tax overall in the government coffers. This is not just my view, but the view of the Independent Schools Council and their Chief Executive Julie Robinson who stated: ‘The negative effects of this unprecedented tax on education will be felt by families and children across state and independent schools.’ Adding that it is likely that the new policy will actually COST the treasury money. With the new policy: State Schools are going to lose out – experts predict an influx of 40,000 – 50,000 of additional pupils coming into an already stressed state school system. The treasury is going lose out – if someone sends their child to a private school the state saves around £10,000 per year and the person is already paying taxes for a service they don’t use. The UK is going to lose out – VAT on private education is against EU law. No other European Union country charges VAT on private education. This further reducing UK overall international competitiveness. Pupils are going to lose out – according to the Independent School Council the new policy will decrease the quality of education for children in both private and public schools. Just like with their catastrophic business policies Labour refuse to listen to any expert, such as the Independent Schools Council or the Confederation of British Industry and just bury their head in the sand. VAT on school fees is bad for children, bad for families, bad for the UK and according to experts will result in LESS tax revenue overall. Yet, Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Education Secretary boasted about wearing the deluded new tax as ‘a badge of honour’. It is so sad to see what is currently happening to our country, to our economy and to our children’s futures. Please let me know your thoughts on the UK’s new tax on private education and how it may impact your family.