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Daily News Summary
9 October 2024

HofC Opposition Day debate: MPs speak out against VAT on fees policy
Labour's VAT policy 'may exempt children of military personnel'
Letters: VAT on fees
School starters born during pandemic 'lack communication skills'

HofC Opposition Day debate: MPs speak out against VAT on fees policy

 

An Opposition Day debate was held in the House of Commons (HofC) yesterday, during which MPs called on the government to abandon its plans to impose VAT on independent school fees. During the debate, concerns were raised for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the families of military personnel, pupils attending schools in rural communities, those on bursaries at independent schools, and children at state schools, all of whom risk being adversely impacted under Labour's plans. Bradley Thomas, who secured the debate, referenced the case of a widowed single mother from his constituency who had written to him warning "the proposed VAT would be devastating for families like mine". Echoing the MP for Bromsgrove and the Villages' concerns, MP for Witham Priti Patel said: "On special educational needs, this measure will devastate many families around the country who make huge sacrifices."  

Mr Thomas continued: "I call on the government to pause and reconsider this education tax, with a view to abandoning it. It is unethical and will damage a British success story. It will not fulfil its stated aims." Reference is made to research by the ISC and several schools in membership of the ISC's constituent associations are mentioned. Hansard features a full transcript of the debate.

Treasury minister James Murray has rejected calls to delay plans to add VAT to independent school fees, saying the government needs to "get on with these important changes right away" in order to deliver on its educational ambitions for state schools. Speaking yesterday in the Westminster Hall debate, and later in the House of Commons, Mr Murray reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the existing timeframe, insisting that schools and parents would have had five months to prepare and that HM Revenue and Customs was ready to support schools with VAT registration. In response, shadow education secretary Damian Hinds said: “This is a government which barely has its feet under the table, and already it is a government in chaos...  exemplified by this destructive, disruptive and divisive education tax." By Sally Weale, The Guardian.

Yesterday's World at One programme on BBC Radio 4 included an item on the debate, during which Branwen Jeffreys, the BBC's education editor, provided a detailed explanation of the policy's potential impact on children with SEND. The case of parent Alexis Quinn, who is bringing legal action against the government over the VAT policy, was also highlighted. The item featured a pre-recorded interview with Damian Hinds, in which he discussed Labour's policy and calls for ministers to "think again". Listen from 16:50.

The Daily Mail's coverage of the debate has focused on the shadow education secretary's warning that the VAT policy could have wider consequences. He said: "The principle of 'no tax on learning' is a fast one. And once you loosen it, you don't know where you'll go. Where might the Treasury look next? Private nurseries, perhaps? Music lessons? Private tutoring?" By Eleanor Harding. 

The Independent reports that independents Iqbal Mohamed and Ayoub Khan, both members of Jeremy Corbyn’s Independent Alliance, have opposed Labour's VAT plans. Despite being elected on left-wing platforms, they spoke out against the policy in yesterday's debate. Mr Mohamed said the policy would be “hugely damaging”, while Mr Khan also voiced his opposition to the plans. By Archie Mitchell.

 

Labour's VAT policy 'may exempt children of military personnel'

 

The Telegraph understands that Labour's VAT policy could be changed after military families warned they could leave the Armed Forces over fee increases. The Treasury previously said ministers would “closely monitor the impact” of the policy but the paper has learned that such discussions are happening now. Potential mitigations are understood to include a VAT exemption for military families who receive the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). The move comes amid pressure from groups including the Army Families Federation, which wrote to the government last month warning that many “will now consider leaving” unless it rolls out concessions. By Poppy Wood. 

Three independent Christian schools and a group of parents are preparing a court challenge against the government's decision to impose VAT on school fees. Emmanuel School in Derby, the Branch Christian School in Yorkshire, and the King’s School in Hampshire have jointly instructed lawyers to inform ministers that if the draft legislation is not withdrawn, they will launch a judicial review. By Jonathan Ames, The Times.

Melissa Moore from Worcester, a single mother whose child has ADHD, explains to BBC News that she is urging the government to delay the introduction of its VAT policy, as she faces paying an extra £300 a month to keep her son at a school that meets his special educational needs. By James Pearson.

 

Letters: VAT on fees

 

A number of readers have letters published in The Telegraph on the issue of Labour's VAT policy. Declan Salter from Buckinghamshire questions the fairness of taxing independent school parents and asks: "Are they not already paying an “education tax”? In which case... why subject them to an additional 20 per cent in VAT?" Elizabeth FitzGibbon, who writes to the paper from Moray, suggests closing independent schools would harm the economy through lost VAT, tourism, and employment. She warns: "If these schools are forced to close down, it’s the Treasury that will lose out." The letters appear halfway down the page.

 
The Telegraph

School starters born during pandemic 'lack communication skills'

 

Primary school staff are having to teach young children how to communicate due to speech and language difficulties, which affect their ability to make friends and manage lessons, according to an Ofsted report. The research, based on visits to high-performing schools, found that the pandemic continues to impact children's behaviour and social skills, with lockdowns having caused delays in communication and emotional development. By Richard Adams, The Guardian.

 
The Guardian

 

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.

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