Public do not back Labour's independent school fee tax plans, according to poll

Independent schools should keep their tax relief, including VAT exemption on school fees, according to 48 per cent of respondents to a poll commissioned by the Independent School Council (ISC). 30 per cent of respondents to the Public First survey stated that this should be conditional on increasing public benefit, while 18 per cent believed the tax breaks should be retained regardless.

In a statement to the media, Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, said: "We have consistently said that Labour's policy would not raise the money it claims. We support the idea of a fully funded education system, but penalising parents through a tax on school choice is not the way to go about it. We would welcome the opportunity to work with the Labour Party to build on the good work already being done by our schools to improve education for all."

Notes to editors The poll, which had a sample size of 1008, can be viewed here.