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Claimant pulls out of legal challenge to Labour's VAT on fees policy
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Independent sector
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A challenge to the government's plans to impose VAT on independent school fees has been impacted after the claimant pulled out of legal proceedings. Alexis Quinn was due to take the landmark case on human rights grounds, saying any increase in fees would force her autistic daughter out of her independent school and into an "unsuitable placement" in the state sector. Ms Quinn has since announced that she has withdrawn from the proceedings after her daughter was awarded a "generous scholarship" to remain at her school. She has been replaced in the action by two new claimants, although there are reportedly concerns the switch at such short notice may harm the case. By Elizabeth Ivens and Eleanor Harding, Daily Mail.
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HofC: VAT, boarding schools and Armed Forces
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Political
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In a written question in the House of Commons (HofC), Conservative MP Rebecca Paul asked the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, what steps she is taking to ensure HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is adequately resourced for changes in the level of VAT registrations by schools from 1 January 2025.
Responding, Labour MP James Murray said: "HMRC is putting in place extra measures to support schools and ensure they can register for VAT on time. This includes new bespoke guidance, hosting webinars, updating VAT registration systems and training additional staff to manage increased demand for registrations. HMRC are confident these actions will enable them to deliver the measure for the 1 January 2025 start date set out in the draft legislation published on 29 July." Hansard.
In a separate written question, Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe asked what steps the chancellor plans to take to support military families who rely on fee-paying boarding schools for their children.
In response, Mr Murray said: "Recognising the enormous sacrifices our military families make, the Ministry of Defence provide the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) to eligible Service Personnel. The government will monitor closely the impact of these policy changes on affected military families and the Spending Review is the right time to consider any changes to this scheme." Hansard.
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SEND system needs 'whole-system reform', NAO report warns
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SEND
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Families of children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) have lost confidence in a system that "often falls short" and is failing to improve children’s outcomes, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). Although funding has risen by 58 per cent over the past decade, the public spending watchdog has said the system is financially “unsustainable” and “in urgent need of reform”. Speaking to BBC News, education secretary Bridget Phillipson said she was "determined to turn it around" but cautioned that it "will take time". By Vanessa Clarke and Branwen Jeffreys.
Schools Week considers the issue of SEND reform in light of the NAO's report, which has made nine recommendations. These include ministers working to “understand the root causes behind increases” in SEND and education and health care plan (EHCP) numbers, and the development of a “vision and long-term plan for inclusivity across mainstream education”. By Samantha Booth.
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Give parents more control over children's mobiles, says science secretary
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Online safety
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Parents should have more control over children’s phones to help keep them safe online, Peter Kyle has said. In an exclusive interview with The Telegraph, the science secretary said he would like technology organisations to be building extra safeguards into their devices to give individuals “more power” to protect their families. By Amy Gibbons.
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ECB to train teachers in bid to reverse decline in state school cricket
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Sport
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Hundreds of secondary school teachers will be trained by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) as part of a £3.5 million investment aiming to reverse the decline of cricket in state schools. The move comes as part of the ECB’s response to last year’s Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), which found that white independently-educated cricketers were 13 times more likely to become professionals than their state-educated peers. By Will Macpherson, The Telegraph.
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