To think putting vat on private healthcare when many people use it because the NHS won't treat them is monstrously cruel

Yep.

She needs to go through the OBR process first. She probably doesn’t know how much is needed.

"Twisty's" posts were promoting the idea that private school is not exclusive and that any old person can afford it giving an example of £6000 fees, well I'm afraid that is bubble talk as you need to categorically have money to be able put aside £6000 for an education. Everybody I know who uses private school at least has £150000 income, this is for secondary age. Equally, as I am in the south east the parents are always 50 + as they have property bought when it was still affordable. I do have friends that would never choose private school as they think it is a waste of money but it isn't envy politics- believe me.

I don't actually think it is a big money raiser but to say it is available for all is just massively misleading and unfair on people who have no choice and live in dire situations. Just be thankful that you don't.

What utter, utter tosh. I paid to go private after at least 5 NHS Drs and specialists missed what was wrong with me. One private consultation, one scan and an operation later, I was cured, after YEARS in pain. Christ knows where I would be if I hadn’t, the condition I had can be fatal.
Let’s be honest here, you sound bitter and unpleasant.

Thank you for this though because it has reminded me that the court verdict clearly stated that not all families are wealthy and that some on benefits use independent schools.
Also the PTAs of some state schools are able to raise 6 figs+ to aid their schools.

Here is the court summary:

It just annoys me that there was an editorial choice to illustrate poverty with an approximation of neglect. It's not you fault, it just pisses me off.

Why don't we let the poor be represented with a bit of dignity?

Where the fuck have I said that? You're putting words into my mouth which don't exist.

I am saying that for SOME families, they could afford independent schools but instead spend money on buying houses in best catchment areas for best state schools. That's optional so why not tax them? If you can afford a £2M house you can afford a 2-4K tax per year. After all that's what we were told!

How do you know Reeves doesn't know what shes planning?

Nonsense. You seem to be projecting an awful lot of your own feelings here. It's not because people think they're better than others. It's because they're frightened that NHS provision is often so woefully inadequate that thousands die each year unnecessarily, simply because they're not seen and treated within a reasonable time frame. And that's before we get to the quality of treatments, which aren't always as good on the NHS for cost reasons.

Most people with private medical insurance have it because it's part of their remuneration package from employment. Others, like me, scrimp to afford it and sacrifice elsewhere to ensure they can be treated promptly if a major issue arises. I am the sole carer for a 10 year old and have little family. If I get cancer and die my child is absolutely screwed. I'm not confident that the NHS will treat me quickly enough and so we go without fancy holidays etc to pay for the cover. I resent having to do so when I already pay taxes and should be able to expect decent healthcare on the NHS. But such is the shitshow we live in these days and I have to deal with what is, not what should be.

I don't know, I didn't write the article, hugely missing the point there!

How on earth are interpreting that from twistys posts? Adding VAT on school fees has added net almost nothing to the exchequer added to pressure on state school. It has actively harmed children in poverty. The parents who would have gone to private school are more able to take up the places and resources the state schools have. There have been no winners from the policy other than those who just don't want other people to have shiny things they can't afford themselves.

What's with that picture, do they think poor people can't put a brush through their kid's hair?

4 years and thousands in legal bills for my relative. The damage done to child's mental health during those 4 years in mainstream is huge and child will never recover.

People have posted Streeting before. But to be frank there is only so many time a Minister can rule something out then it happen the next week before no-one, except your most ardent supporters believes them. That is why Starmer's rating is the lowest of any prime minister ever, he has no credibility left.

Are you seriously arguing that at these rates of child poverty, people could afford private school fees if only they gave up the luxury of a roof over their head and some food on their plate!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2g03ykxeko

Anyone who agrees with VAT on private school fees cannot possibly argue against VAT on private healthcare. They are both services where there is a state alternative, and which some people cannot afford. They are both often used by those who have been failed by the state alternative. It’s amazing how many people are in favour of tax rises affecting others, but tie themselves up in knots trying to argue against any tax increases which may affect them.

I never said that take time to read it properly - I said a lot of visits to hospital are preventable by change of behaviour. The poor don't have the option to use private health.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0knr2dmn4mo

Who is putting vat on private healthcare? Oh, nobody.

I live in NE where we have worst performing state schools in the country.

Are you denying the Sutton Trust report?

And yet the optional purchase of caviar, first class air fare, and private healthcare doesn’t.

No it isn't, again, you are living in a bubble if your comparisons and references are parents with children at top state schools, perhaps it's the area you live in.

Exactly. Labour got rid of Assisted Places scheme which targeted low income families. Bring that back and get rid of the tax in order to make independent schools MORE accessible to more families.

Isn't it? When many in state sector have much nicer cars than I do, bigger houses and can afford many foreign holidays per year? So yeh, those families could afford 6K per year, they choose not to.

There are 9 million DC in state schools, are you trying to say they are all from deprived households? Cos that would be bollocks. There are more wealthy households using state than independent.

Sutton Trust clearly stated that the top 200 state schools are as "privileged" as top independent schools based on the wealth of their cohorts.

I've read their policy documents. It makes sense. Incentiving recuitment and retainment of staff, reducing downtime of billions of pounds of equipment. They will give a tax rebate for people who use private health care - the opposite to this labour tax. It will reward people rather than punish those who take pressure off the system. The same as they are proposing tax breaks for those who use private education. These are sensible policies that drive behaviour that benefits the country as a whole.

The whole idea that Labour are promoting that if you don't have Nanny Starmer in charge to look after you, you will die on the streets is absolute scare mongering and non-sense. All Labour have now is a policy of better the devil you know, it might be shit but at least you know that.