Lord Pannick, one of Britain's top constitutional and human rights lawyers, has warned that the Labour Party's plan to tax independent school fees is likely to breach human rights law. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “It would be strongly arguable that for a new government to impose VAT on independent schools would breach the right to education. That is because all other educational services will remain exempt from VAT and the charging of VAT on independent schools alone is designed to impede private education, and will have that effect.” The KC and crossbench peer added that the Labour policy risks breaching two articles in the European Convention on Human Rights which protect the right to education. By Noah Eastwood. 

The Scotsman reports that Scottish independent schools have been urging senior UK Labour figures to meet and discuss the party's tax plans amid growing concerns that ending their VAT exemption would have a significant impact in Scotland. Chief executive of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools (SCIS) Lorraine Davidson said: “SCIS believes a full consultation is needed on the VAT proposal, so that the impact on Scotland can be fully considered. We have written to Labour’s UK education spokeswoman Bridget Phillipson requesting a meeting to discuss the impact of the policy on both the independent and state sectors in Scotland.” Ms Davidson also highlighted uncertainty over Labour’s plan to continue a VAT exemption for children in England with additional support needs who have Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), given these do not exist in Scotland. Speaking to the paper, a spokesperson for Fettes College added: “We have worked closely with SCIS on behalf of the whole sector to make the strong case for educational charities to remain VAT-free. We share the views of other schools that this is a very regrettable policy and are disappointed with the effect it will have on parents who make many sacrifices and difficult choices to send their children to independent schools." By Calum Ross.

Speaking to The Telegraph from her constituency office in Chichester, education secretary Gillian Keegan warned Labour’s tax plans would force at least 40,000 pupils into the state sector from this September. Ms Keegan accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of wanting to “destroy the independent school sector” with his plan to charge 20 per cent VAT on fees. “Without any regard for those children, or the impact on their education, they’re going to whack a 20 per cent tax on – the first time we’ve ever taxed education in this country,” Ms Keegan said. “There’s more than half a million people in the independent sector and many parents are just about managing to keep their children there in the smaller schools", she added. By Nick Gutteridge.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent, shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson said she believes independent schools have already made themselves unaffordable for many middle-class families. “I think private schools, because they’ve whacked up their fees way beyond inflation year after year, have priced themselves out of the reach of many middle-class parents who would, in the past, have looked to independent schools and might have considered it as an option,” she said. On why the Labour Party is planning to impose VAT on fees if it comes to power, Ms Phillipson said: “I just believe that we need to make sure we’re prioritising public money, and we shouldn’t be giving unjustified tax breaks to private schools, who are their own businesses and can make choices about how they manage their budgets and can plan accordingly.” During the interview, Ms Phillipson talked about her own school days and the path that led her into politics, as well as Labour's wider education policies, which includes the pledge to provide free breakfast clubs for all primary pupils. By David Maddox.

The Sunday Times talks to parents of children at state and independent schools in Cheltenham who are wary of Labour’s tax policy. Several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. Principal at St Edward’s School Matthew Burke is quoted, saying: “I understand the need to create funds to invest in education. What we need to do is just be really careful about thinking what those unintended consequences might be.” Debbie and Jeremy Hall tell the paper they sent their children to state school but they strenuously disagree with Sir Keir Starmer's plans, saying: “It’s a horrendous policy that will remove some people’s right to choose." By Katie Tarrant.

In an article for Brighton and Hove News, campaigner and journalist Jean Calder warns that Labour’s tax policy would see vulnerable children, including those with additional learning needs, forced to leave independent schools and at risk of not being able to source alternative provision in the state sector. Calling for “root and branch reform of our education system”, and for Labour to “think again”, Ms Calder writes: “In a worthwhile society there would be consensus about the care and education of our children but instead the issue is deployed by politicians as a weapon to point-score and attack party political rivals.” She adds: “Genuine charities charging as fairly as possible to provide a good standard of education should not be penalised.”

Writing in The Guardian, columnist John Harris looks at the school backgrounds of the cabinet and senior opposition leaders. Mr Harris says Thursday's General Election could bring "a cultural shift at the top, which will be very interesting to watch".

The Telegraph looks at the possible impact of Labour's tax plans on house prices in the UK. Philip Harvey of Property Vision told the paper: “Grammar schools will have a wider catchment area [than state schools] and families will have more money as a result of not having to pay school fees. Housing prices near grammar schools are going to go up.” Dominic Agace, chief executive of estate agent Winkworth, said there could be up to a 20 per cent premium for homes in the catchment areas of highly rated state schools as a result of the policy. By Fran Ivens.

A number of the articles published this weekend refer to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC). 

In a letter to The Telegraph, Alan Walker agrees with CEO of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Rudolf Eliott Lockhart, who recently said there must be more effective ways to raise funds for state schools than imposing VAT on the independent sector. Mr Walker outlines other ways that taxes could be raised, and urges those vying to win power on Thursday to "make wider use of all the fiscal tools available to them in order to secure the country’s future, particularly that of our children". The letter can be found just above half-way.

Writing to The Sunday Times, Rita Rake accuses Sir Keir Starmer of "pulling up the ladder behind him" with the Labour Party's plans to tax school fees, referencing how the Labour leader himself attended an independent school on a bursary. She argues: "He [Sir Keir] ignores the fact that many parents who send their children to private schools are like his: working-class strivers who only want to give their children the best possible life chances." The letter is near the end of the page.

Seven in 10 schools across England have been affected by spending cuts and cannot afford the same essential running costs as they did when the Conservatives first came to power in 2010, according to analysis by the National Education Union. The findings show 13,000 schools have been subject to cuts over the period, with hundreds having lost over £1 million in real-terms funding compared to 2010. By Alicja Hagopian and David Maddox, The Independent. 

In an article for Tes, Ian Munro, rector at Dollar Academy, describes the International Sustainability Diploma, a new qualification launched by the school which is being piloted in six schools in 2024-25. He explains how the diploma is "a manifestation of our commitment to exploring compelling alternatives to traditional exams", adding that he hopes the qualification "will help blaze a new trail for the reimagining of the curriculum, bringing it firmly in line with the realities of our time". 

Obese children should be offered weight loss injections to save them from a lifetime of problems, according to the president of the World Obesity Federation. Professor Louise Baur, an obesity paediatrician and professor of paediatrics at the University of Sydney, said there is a “growing evidence base” for the use of the injections among adolescents, adding that they might even be justified among under-12s in severe cases. By Laura Donnelly, The Telegraph.

Girls have officially become full choristers at St Paul's Cathedral for the first time in its history. Lila and Lois, the first two girls to join, are set to perform in the choir's Choral Evensong service on Sunday after months of probation and preparation. This comes after an announcement in May 2022 that girls would join the choir, and that the cathedral, and St Paul's Cathedral School, would "undertake the practical arrangements needed to provide a truly equal offer for girl and boy choristers". By Liz Jackson and PA Media, BBC News. 

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