Full disclosure: I went to private school, my parents paid the fees, the education was good and I’m sure it improved my chances and opportunities. As to whether it damaged my personality and gave me an arrogant sense of entitlement, you’d have to ask the people who know me although does anybody care about their opinions I don’t think so. My point is I have a bit of history here, so bear that in mind as we discuss the issue at hand: whether VAT should be levied on school fees.
Labour was threatening the policy for some time and finally went through with it in the Budget which can’t have been easy: one of the most powerful lobby groups in the country is irritated middle-class parents so it wouldn’t have been surprising if the government had dropped the idea. But no, they didn’t, they’ve gone ahead, meaning 20% VAT will be added to school fees from January. It’s not an insignificant sum and will mean thousands extra for most pupils even if schools absorb some of the tax in other ways.
The government’s justification is that the money will be used for extra teachers in state schools and because education is devolved, this will trigger extra cash for Scotland too. The response of the independent schools has been robust. Imposing VAT, they say, will lead to some pupils being taken out of school because their parents can no longer afford the fees.
They also say some schools will be forced to close and The Independent Schools Council plans to take the government to c.
