Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, has become the first member of her party to criticise its plans to impose VAT on school fees, saying independent schools that charge less than £6,500 per year should be exempt from the tax policy. Ms Maskell, who is preparing a report examining whether the policy is “causing more divides, rather than less”, has called for a “zero rating for VAT” for independent schools charging the lowest fees, which are often located in the most deprived parts of the country. Speaking to The Telegraph, Ms Maskell voiced her concerns over the future of an independent school in her constituency, saying: “It’s a school charging some of the lowest fees in the country. Parents are really going to struggle if VAT is applied to [schools like] these." By Ruby Hinchliffe and Pieter Snepvangers.

Damian Hinds has warned that ministers are "rushing the implementation" of its VAT policy, which comes into effect on 1 January 2025. In an interview with Sky News, the shadow education secretary pointed out that an impact assessment on the "likely consequences" has yet to be published, and warned that the change could "see thousands of pupils enter state schools, increasing class sizes and disruption for teachers and pupils and increasing costs for the taxpayer". By Faith Ridler.

European embassies lobbying the UK government to exempt international schools from VAT on fees have warned that the tax will make independent schools unaffordable for many of their UK-based employees and put a strain on diplomatic ties. One official told the Financial Times that the Spanish embassy had taken part in the UK government’s recent public consultation on the proposals and requested that the Instituto Español Vicente Cañada Blanch be granted an exemption from the tax. By Laura Hughes.

The Telegraph explores the impact of Labour's VAT policy on European families with children at UK independent schools, and embassy reactions to the plans. Federico Bianchi, head of press and public diplomacy for the EU’s Delegation in the UK, said the VAT "has an impact on how attractive London is for foreigners". By Lucy Denyer.

The latest ISC video diary provides an update from the Labour Party Conference, where colleagues engaged with MPs and ministers to discuss the value of independent schools and the implications of VAT on fees - particularly for children with special needs and pupils attending faith schools. ISC hosted a fringe event focused on special needs provision, where head of Moon Hall School Michelle Catterson highlighted the impact of VAT on families without Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The next installment of the video diary will summarise events from the upcoming Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.

Schools Week provides a round-up of the Labour Party Conference, with topics including curricula reform, a review of teacher working hours limits, and initiatives to encourage specialist teachers to switch subjects. 

iNews considers what Rachel Reeves' conference speech may mean for next month's Budget. Referring to Labour's VAT policy, the chancellor said: “It is the fair choice, the responsible choice, the Labour choice, to support the 94 per cent of children in state schools.” By Richard Vaughan.

Children's eyesight is steadily worsening, with one in three now short-sighted or unable to see things in the distance clearly, a global analysis has found. Pandemic lockdowns had a negative impact on eyesight as youngsters spent more time on screens and less time outdoors, researchers said, with short-sightedness, or myopia, a growing global health concern set to affect millions more children by 2050. By Philippa Roxby, BBC News.

The number of children who are overweight has fallen to the lowest level since 2000, according to new NHS figures. The annual NHS health survey suggests the declining obesity rate is partly due to public health initiatives such as the sugar tax and increased awareness of ultra-processed foods. By Eleanor Hayward, The Times.

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