URGENT ACTION REQUIRED : The ridiculous Labour 'Private School VAT' scam ... Post Reply

[Knightsambl]

What these statistics show is that wealthier areas achieve better outcomes in state schools. That is because wealthier, middle class parents who value education but either don’t want to (like me) or cannot (because they have better priorities for their money) don’t pay to remove their children from normal society, and cloister them away in private schools.

Parent power creates better outcomes. Schools get better when parents are engaged, which is a healthier choice than simply paying each term on the assumption that a nice theatre and some verdant playing fields makes for a better life. I loved both those things at my private school, but I’d never subject my own kids to the single-sex weirdness of it, and I can certainly think of far better things to spend my money on - particularly when it’s incredibly clear that a paid-for education is a hindrance not only socially, but also for university entrance, grad schemes etc.

By being born to a Nappy Valley family, your kids have already won the lottery in life. You don’t need to buy what you probably think are even more tickets.

Well done Labour.

[npvmum]

where did you get that private schools are single sex and all state schools are coed ????

what makes you say that private school parents are not engaged versus all state schools parents being engaged ??

seriously ???

Your experience and statements certainly do not reflect today's world !

[VitMac]

Posts like this one by Knightsambl make it clear to me that the rationale for applying VAT is NOT truly about raising funds for state schools. In reality, this will not significantly impact state school funding and will cause a great deal of hardship for families already struggling to prioritize their children's education.
 
Some people seem to wish that independent schools didn't exist at all. It's about removing people's choice. While I can understand and respect the philosophical ideal on why they think that state schooling is better, it's important to acknowledge that people have different opinions. There are many excellent state schools in the UK, but there are also some bad ones, and no amount of money can fix some of these issues. VAT is not applied to many things, and education should definitely be one of them. Most countries do not tax education at all. In many, private schooling is not only untaxed but also tax-deductible. By paying for your children's education, you're actually doing the country a favor. It's not like you're buying a car or an iPhone. It's EDUCATION!
 
For me and my family, independent schools are about choice - choosing what fits best for the kids. We are not wealthy. We're not originally from the Nappy Valley. We're not even from the UK. The reason we decided to move here was the potential education we'd have here for our kids and then the social issues we had in country. We tried state schooling, but we had issues and unfortunately we have no say in which school best fits our children, as they are mostly overcrowded and the schools are assigned based on location. So we decided to make sacrifices and prioritize education over other things, that was the whole point of the moving after all, and we had sacrificed a lot already. We choose a good school at walk distance that we could afford and that suited our kids well. I don't think we will be able to afford that anymore. So yes, I am extremely mad about this. I find it absurdly unfair to be penalized when we are already alleviating the burden on state schools expenditure while paying a huge amount in taxes. And I’m also absurdly tired of people who want me to feel like an outlaw or an egotistical maniac simply for wanting to pay for my kids education and not agreeing to the VAT.
 

[Mark T]

Maybe charge 20% on all eduction, including the 'cost' (c.£7k p.a.) of state education - but do it means tested? That way it's fair for everyone and will raise more money for education overall ?

[educationMatters]

Now Labour have just said they will implement this policy from next calendar year, I am looking forward to private schools now becoming the preserve of the very rich.

As private schools will then not be charities, there is no reason parents should be subsidising scholarships and bursaries. This will save about half of this VAT increase that schools think will add 16% to fees.

Schools should also now stop paying the ludicrous 28% TPS pension contributions, yes teachers get 28% pension contributions (and massive holidays)  - that can stop immediately. 10% contribution sounds reasonable, like most of us get.

Private schools can also now stop sharing their facilities with local state schools and reduce the other costs associated with this.

So there, the Labour policy hits the poor and the teachers. And what for ?
6700 teachers spread over about 24000 state schools - 1 teacher per 3 schools, well that's going to make a bike difference.

 

[HugoLindum]

If you believe the education given to children in the best public schools like Eton College, Harrow School, Westminster School, Stowe School, Winchester College, St Paul's School, Rugby School, Tonbridge School, Charterhouse School, Cheltenham Ladies' College is anything like the education that you get at your local comp I can only say you have never been anywhere near them.
Furthermore, there is not a lot of movement between the two systems by teachers.
Finally, if you think the wealthy are paying out £50,000 a year for what you can get at your local comp, you have no idea.

[HugoLindum]

You claim that the LibDems were not in power.

“ The Liberal Democrats were in government from May 11, 2010, to May 8, 2015, as part of the coalition with the Conservative Party.”

Five years in government. Don’t you remember them saying “We will never increase university tuition fees” and then doing it as soon as in power?