The government's VAT on fees policy passed its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday evening, despite objections from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. MPs voted 332 to 176 to approve the Finance Bill, which brings into law measures outlined by chancellor Rachel Reeves in October’s Budget. iNews explores what the next steps are for the bill before it becomes law and how pupils at both independent and state schools are likely to be impacted. Reference is made to the legal challenge that is being brought by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) against the introduction of VAT from January 2025, and figures from the ISC are highlighted. The organisation is quoted, voicing concerns that analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) and the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) have “underestimated the number of children who will leave the sector” and that "tens of thousands of families are going to see their children’s education disrupted". By Connie Dimsdale.
Children’s mental health could be severely impacted by the government’s plan to tax independent school fees, warned Dr Luke Evans, Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth. He argued that the tax change, set to take effect in January, will cause pupils to move schools during term time and called for funding to support their welfare. Dr Evans said: “In my area I have two private schools where parents have written that they’re going to have to move out into the state system. The problem is, there aren’t places in the state system to accomplish that. So, will there be a dedicated fund to help those schools when pupils do move?” Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray said removing independent schools’ exemption is “a tough but necessary decision that will secure additional funding to help the government deliver its commitments to improving education in state schools across the country”. By Rhiannon James, The Independent.
In a written question for the Department for Education (DfE), Rupert Lowe, Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth, asked the education secretary what consultations the DfE is holding with independent schools in relation to the removal of VAT exemptions.
In response, Minister for Early Education Stephen Morgan said: "The government carried out a technical consultation from 29 July to 15 September 2024 and published a response alongside a tax information and impact note on 30 October. The documents are published on GOV.UK and are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-on-private-school-fees-removing-the-charitable-rates-relief-for-private-schools. The government received over 17,000 written responses during the consultation period, all of which were carefully considered. During the consultation period, the government also held a series of meetings with stakeholders who represent private schools. As the regulator of private schools, the department will continue to have regular meetings with representatives of private schools." Hansard.
The education secretary has called on Ofqual to investigate why nearly twice as many independent school pupils are receiving extra time in exams compared to those in non-selective state schools. Ms Phillipson told Newsnight: "I am concerned about the difference that you see there... and this is something that I've discussed with the regulator." The number of students being given extra time to complete GCSE and A-level exams because of special needs has risen by more than 42 per cent over four years. Extra time is granted to students who have learning difficulties or disabilities, and eligible pupils must either have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or must score low in a specially-designed test which includes the speed of writing, reading, and cognitive processing. By Rory Tingle, Daily Mail.
Sir Keir Starmer has encouraged young people to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), saying the world is in the “foothills of a revolution”. The prime minister emphasised the technology’s “ability to transform millions of lives across our country” while at the opening of Google’s new AI Campus in his constituency of Holborn and St Pancras. He stated: "To every young person, whether in this room or elsewhere, I say, whatever your interest, whatever your talent, AI is the opportunity of this generation." The facility in Somers Town is a partnership between Google, Camden Council and Camden Learning, and was created with the aim of inspiring a new generation of AI talent. By Rosie Shead, The Independent.
Difficulties in recruiting teachers for certain subjects are not due to a decline in graduate numbers in their related fields, according to new research. The number of graduates in feeder subjects for maths, physics, and chemistry teaching increased by between 5 and 8 per cent from 2014-15 to 2022-23. Additionally, graduate numbers in feeder subjects for computing teaching rose by 27 per cent. In a blog exploring teaching workforce trends, Jack Worth, school workforce lead at the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), wrote: “This suggests that the pool of potential graduates has not shrunk for these subjects, implying that this is not an explanation for the recruitment difficulties in these subjects.” He suggested government and initial teacher training providers should pull candidates from a wider range of backgrounds to teach shortage subjects, including graduates who meet other selection criteria and illustrate good subject knowledge. By Mark Gould, Tes.
Fiona Price, computing teacher and partnerships coordinator at King Edward VI School, explains how the school is broadening the horizons of local young people through mutually beneficial arts initiatives in the ISC's latest 'Spotlight On' blog.
