Ministers have underestimated how many children will be forced out of independent schools as a result of the VAT on fees policy, new figures suggest. More than 3,000 independent school pupils applied to join state schools between June and September this year, according to data exclusively obtained by The Telegraph. A further 2,500 pupils have given notice to leave in January, according to separate figures compiled by the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which surveyed 900 of its members. Speaking to the paper, ISC chief executive Julie Robinson said: “We have consistently said that the government’s expectations on pupil movement have underestimated how much pressure VAT will place on schools and parents alike. The fact that pupil numbers gathered from 1,100 independent schools are down by nearly double the government expectations for this year shows that to be the case." She added: “Given this, it is more important than ever for the government to work with independent schools to properly mitigate the impacts of VAT, particularly on faith communities, military families and children with SEND.” By Pieter Snepvangers.

In a debate on the Autumn Budget in the House of Lords yesterday, Lord Lexden OBE noted "it is the first ever Budget to place a tax on education in our country". The president of the Independent Schools Association (ISA) continued: "Over the years, all Governments have regarded education as being so invaluable to individuals and society alike that nothing should ever be done to obstruct its success and growth in all the varied forms that it takes [...] The Government are now breaking a universal golden rule by slapping VAT on independent school fees, not at a fairly modest rate to ease the process of adjustment but at a whopping 20% from 1 January, just a few weeks from now, during the course of a school year, which is the worst possible time." On the extensive partnership work taking place between independent and state schools, Lord Lexden acknowledged the recent ISC Celebrating Partnerships event, saying: "Last week, inspiring teachers and other representatives from both sectors came to Parliament to celebrate their latest achievements. They are helping many independent schools to thrive." Referencing those who will be most affected by the policy, Lord Lexden said: "The education tax will fall mainly on working families of limited means—just the kind of families the Government say they want to protect. They cannot rely on the Government’s assurances that they will escape most of the tax because schools will be able to absorb it. Small schools have no handy financial reserves into which they can dip."

Earlier in the debate, Conservative life peer Lord Forsyth of Drumlean warned that the VAT on fees policy will have widespread negative effects. He said: "There will be growth in class sizes, as pupils are forced to leave private schools, with a vicious, wicked mid-term tax on education leading to private school closures and heartbroken parents being forced to tell their children that they can no longer stay at school with their friends because of this Government." The transcript of the debate can be read in full at Hansard.

During a House of Commons debate on defence spending, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge asked if the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will be 100 per cent compensated by the Treasury for the cost of increasing the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA), and whether service families will be fully compensated for the extra VAT on school fees. Responding, defence secretary John Healy said: "We greatly value the Continuity of Education Allowance and greatly recognise the role it plays in helping avoid disruption to the education of the children of serving personnel. In line with how the allowance operates, we will continue to pay up to 90% of private school fees following the VAT increase in January. By uprating the cap, we will take account of any increase in spending." Hansard.

In a letter to The Times, principal of Stamford School Mark Steed considers the challenge of creating effective laws to limit social media use among young people, especially given teens’ ability to bypass age restrictions. Mr Steed says: "Any legislation must include “group chats”, which can cause as much distress to young people as posts on social media platforms. Ultimately it falls to parents to play a much greater role in ensuring children are safe." The letter appears halfway down the page.

Teachers have “significant scepticism” about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, according to a YouGov poll of 1,001 teachers. The survey found that 69 per cent of schools have yet to implement AI, with workload reduction being the primary motivator for those that have, as reported by a quarter of teachers. By Cerys Turner, Tes.

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