A poll has revealed that 10 per cent of UK families are considering moving abroad to avoid Labour's planned VAT increase on independent school fees, which takes effect in January 2025. The Saltus Wealth Index Report, which surveyed more than 2,000 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in the UK with assets worth more than £250,000, also found that one in eight independent school parents said they planned to send their child to a state school this year, while a further 21 per cent said they would be forced to move to a less expensive independent school. Commenting on the findings, senior University of Bristol economics lecturer Dr Michael Peacey warned that while wealthy families are the most able to support the British economy, “they are also likely to be the most globally mobile”. An accompanying graph displays the impact of rising fees on HNWIs. By Poppy Wood, The Telegraph. The survey was also covered by Elizabeth Ivens for the Daily Mail. In Gillian Duncan's article on the findings in The National, figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC) are cited.

The Welsh government has launched a consultation on its proposals to withdraw charitable non-domestic rates relief for independent schools from April 2025. Finance secretary Mark Drakeford said the change aims to ensure independent schools with charitable status are "treated in the same way as those which are not charities", adding that the move would bring Wales into line with Scotland and similar planned changes in England. ITV News.

Mr Drakeford's written statement on the consultation can be read in full here.

Bridget Phillipson has hinted at a wider reform of the education system for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Addressing delegates at a Labour Party conference fringe event yesterday, the education secretary said: “There are some changes I want to make more rapidly... but the longer-term process of change that we need has to involve conversations with parents, with charities and organisations working with children.” Schools Week.

Pupils at schools in the areas with greatest need are likely to benefit from Labour’s free breakfast clubs first, a source from the party has told iNews. Hundreds of state-funded primary schools will be invited to sign up for the “early adopter scheme” that will run in the summer term from April to July next year. The source added that schools chosen to partake in the trial will be able to decide how they run their own breakfast to generate the most impact. By Connie Dimsdale.

A new report from City & Guilds (C&G) and the Lifelong Education Institute has called for the revival of skills councils for specific industries. Published yesterday, the report also recommends that Skills England should work with Ofqual, Ofsted, and both the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and the ISC. By Josh Mellor, FE Week.

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