Tes takes a closer look at key issues raised with education ministers during yesterday’s session in the House of Commons. Topics ranged from the timeline for reforming the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system, to government workforce commitments and concerns over children’s screen time. When questioned by the opposition, education secretary Bridget Phillipson did not rule out the possibility of restricting Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to children in special schools, saying the government needs "to think differently about the system". Her comments follow reports that the Department for Education is exploring significant changes to the EHCP system, which could include abolishing the plans entirely. By Cerys Turner.

During a debate on topical issues in the House of Commons yesterday, Conservative MP Sarah Bool asked the education secretary if she believes the impact assessment of the introduction of VAT on fees is correct, and whether she will "look again at the flawed case for it". Education minister Stephen Morgan responded, saying: "Around 50 mainstream private schools close each year. The level of fees charged by private schools is not a matter for the Department; it is a contractual matter between private schools and parents."

In a written question in the House of Lords, Baroness Barran asked ministers how much revenue has been raised since the introduction of the tax policy in January; and what has this revenue has been spent on or is planned to be spent on to date. Treasury minister Lord Livermore replied: "At the Budget in October, the government set out its estimate that this measure will raise £460 million in VAT revenue in 2024/25, rising to £1,725 million in 2029/30." He added: "DfE’s 2028-29 settlement includes £101.5 billion of day-to-day spending, a 1.4 per cent average annual real-terms increase from 2023-24 to 2028-29. This includes an additional £4.7 billion cash increase per year for schools by 2028-29 (compared to 2025-26), increasing per pupil funding in real terms to a new record high." Hansard.

A number of readers have letters published in The Times following the announcement of another independent school closure linked to the government's VAT on fees policy.

Richard Tillett, principal of Queen’s College London, expresses concern over the future of a number of girls' only schools, some of which are close to Rachel Reeves's own constituency. He describes how some are admitting boys to survive, while others, like Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, are being forced to close altogether. On the value of all-girls' education, Mr Tillett writes: "Girls’ schools regularly dominate the top of the national league tables, and all the evidence shows that, if girls are educated separately from boys, they achieve more highly, do more science, participate more in sport, and have greater levels of self-confidence." Referencing last week's High Court judgment and the impact of the VAT on fees policy, he concludes: "When will the chancellor, who went to an all-girls’ school, realise the damage that her policy is doing to the female equality agenda?"

Philip Ashworth from York points to the impact of the closure of Queen Margaret's School on the surrounding area, warning: "The teams of catering staff, cleaners, groundsmen and caretakers from the rural villages outside York (not to mention the teachers) now find themselves at the end of term with no jobs to return to." 

In his letter, Tim Brown from Devon corrects claims that none of Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet attended independent school, pointing to defence secretary John Healey’s two years at St Peter’s School, York.

The letters appear halfway down the page.

Joe Silvester, head of St Albans School, is interviewed in the recent issue of Independent Schools Magazine. He reflects on his own career path and teaching experiences, which have influenced his style of leadership. On his school's move to going fully co-educational, he says: "I believe that the decision to extend co-education across the whole school is reflective of an institution that never stands still." Mr Silvester also talks about the impact of the VAT on fees policy but says this has not affected his passion for education. "At the forefront of any decision-making is the need to ensure we are offering the best value to our children and their families," he says.

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