The Telegraph reports military families face being priced out of independent schools or forced to leave the Armed Forces altogether under Labour’s proposed tax policy. Approximately 4,200 children of service personnel currently receive funding through the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to attend boarding school while their parents are deployed. Families pay at least 10 per cent of fees and are at risk of their portion being taxed. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), said: “We urge Labour to not make becoming a service member or diplomat less attractive by making it harder for parents to educate their children in a stable environment.” Harriet Langdale, director of admissions at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire, is also quoted, saying: “If VAT is imposed, this will price many more out of boarding and force families instead to be separated. At a time when the army is finding it hard to recruit, this policy will only make it harder to attract, properly train, and retain staff." By Henry Bodkin.

Shaun Fenton, head of Reigate Grammar School in Surrey, the school Sir Keir Starmer attended on a bursary for sixth form, has called on the Labour leader to put politics aside and “focus on the children”, adding: “Our country needs cohesion not conflict.” The article also quotes Julie Robinson, ISC CEO. By Pieter Snepvangers, The Telegraph.

Independent schools have urged Labour to clarify whether parents will have to pay VAT on fees from September if the party comes to power following the General Election. Labour officials have refused to say when precisely the policy would come into force. Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has said the policy would be implemented “as soon as it can be done” after the election. However, Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, this week ruled out a Budget before September, when the school year starts — leaving schools uncertain if parents will face the higher fees from next term. Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, has said: “Schools and families certainly need clarity on Labour’s proposals — they cannot plan based on headlines.” By Jim Pickard and Anna Gross, The Financial Times.

Labour’s plan to tax independent school fees cannot be challenged in the courts because of Brexit, according to the founder of the Tax Policy Associates think tank. Dan Niedle has claimed that a legal challenge would not be possible because Britain is no longer a member of the European Union (EU), and EU law challenges are the only way to "overturn tax legislation". By David Maddox, the Independent.

Emma Thompson, a lawyer at Thackray Williams, writes in Tes about Labour's proposed VAT plan and the actions independent schools can and cannot take regarding teachers' pay and benefits.

The Liberal Democrats have said they would increase taxes on social media companies, and those like Amazon and Google, to fund mental health professionals for all state schools in England, if they win the General Election. Recent statistics from the NHS show nearly 340,000 children and young people are currently on waiting lists to access mental health services in England. By Kate McGough, BBC.

The Standard is calling on the government to establish a new category for excluding students that includes sexist abuse, sexual harassment and violence against girls, so that it can be measured and tracked. Of the 16 categories under which a headteacher can suspend or permanently expel a child from school, sexist abuse and violence against girls is not included. By David Cohen.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) monitors the national and educational press in order to keep independent schools up-to-date with relevant education news. The DNS is a service primarily for schools in membership of ISC associations, although other interested parties can choose to sign-up. We endeavour to include relevant news and commentary and, wherever possible, notable public letters. Where capacity allows, we may include links to ISC blogs, press statements and information about school or association events. News stories are selected based on their relevance to the independent sector as a whole. Editorial control of the DNS remains solely with the ISC.

Sign-up to the email service is available on our website.

Members can contact the ISC if they know in advance of news, letters or opinions that are likely to feature in the media, or are aware of existing coverage which they would like to see featured in the DNS.

Headlines and first-line summaries are written by the ISC with the link directing to the source material. You should read and comply with the terms and conditions of the websites to which we link.