If you're worried about rising private school fees..

[CurlewKate]

... why not just get a better paid job? It apparently works for poor people.

@ChocolateyBiccy - you are taking about people with little financial sense if so. Running yourself so lean for private schooling is madness.

So I find it completely bizarre that people who presumably have histories in this country going back considerably further than mine, and children who have spent their whole lives growing up here, and have friends, families, favourite places, etc., would just casually uproot them from all that and go somewhere else unfamiliar and new - not because of fear for your life, or desperate need, but because... of slightly higher taxes.

Blurrededges

Do you think people who had all the things you mention, but who left because of Brexit are bizarre?

(To be honest, loads of people said they would leave because of Brexit, but I’m not sure how many actually did).

But its not just school fees. Taxes across the board have increased significantly and will likely to continue to do so.

Btw obviously if people want to leave for what they perceive as better, good luck.

I agree (with some exceptions) but its their choice. What I do think is unfair is the vitriol directed towards them and the assumption that people who send their children to private school are rolling in money.

We get loads of Drs and nurses are ‘leaving in droves’ posts

The friends and schools things applies there too

I agree though and am not sure on numbers

However I’m watching how all this is unfolding, with high state dependency etc and whilst we will stay I’m v glad to have a get out

Well, private school is neither s guarantee of success nor a panacea. It will elevate an average child but it will not make a brilliant one. Private education gives many extra things beyond what the state can afford, but it's wrong to imagine it's a golden ticket. Talent is still key.

I don't really understand the relevance of this post. I don't send my child to private school because I think it will give him a golden ticket. I send him because they recognise his dyslexia and put in place necessary adjustments to support him and build his confidence.

Of course. One of my children is dyslexic- this comment is really addressed to the idea of aspiration which is commonly cited as a reason to use private schools

Generally only by those who don't use them. I've read the entire thread. I don't think I've come across one poster who states this reason for using private education.

Well that doesn't reflect my experience as a pupil myself or indeed now as a parent who does send my children. It's quite normal.

Pretty nasty behaviour
No my kids aren't in private school
Manners, decency cost nothing

It’s not for a few grand…it’s the paying more and more tax for less and less. Coupled with a cost of living crisis, even well off middle class people are starting to feel the pinch. There’s always a tipping point. Lots of people have emigrated from this country in the past including those with roots going back 100’s of years so I don’t know why you are so suprised that people would want to leave. In any event, highly educated professionals move around a lot particulary if they can get a better deal. It’s one of the reasons we have a doctor shortage!

To previous posters , I actually think @CurlewKate ' post was a mix between ironic and encouraging an argument - I did not take it as nasty.

There are those I think who will never send their DCs to private school for philosophical or political reasons
There are those who won't / can't for financial reasons
There are those who won't because they have very good state schools.
There are those (me) who would love all state schools to be great but the local one is ( my opinion advised by teachers ) is rubbish so went private
I do think that private does not =better all the time - seriously there are very mediocre /poor private schools
If you do choose private think through how much the rise in fees will be over time and factor that in - winging it in the first couple of years isn't a great plan - over time with the onerous rises in fees it can get a bit tight last couple of years was for us - friend of DC ( different school ) was let off some fees whilst parents said we can scrape this together - but school patience ran out - DC had to move. Not all private school parents are very rich & as others have said but also as @CurlewKate said - some of the better known ones have better bursaries etc. Friend of DS had an 85% bursary and they had been know to pay 100% and add some money in for uniform. ( a while ago not sure if true now )

As for people leaving the country because tax - well - turn the lights off on your way out. ( that is somewhat light hearted. Many will have genuine options as to where they live & very lovely to have those options ) but foot stomping is a bit petty.

Well as a highly educated professional I don't feel I am suffering too much! Am I pleased with the taxation situation on income in the U.K., well no, but a few grand and packing up for that? No.

The statistics prove that those paying for the state are leaving and are a decreasing minority. Literally, the ONS has proven this. People are having a laugh if they think people are making these decisions on a few grand. Try at least 10s of thousands in tax - more like 6 figures in tax you maybe close. People don’t make life changing decisions over a few grand. They do when they are being taxed at marginals of 70% at points and it’s in the 10s of thousands. All whilst the people they are paying for kick them some more. Biggest state dependency on record - sounds like a future you problem.

It doesn’t matter if people call it petty. Why would that mean much

If we apparently lose Drs without calling them petty then other people can look for opportunity if they feel the scale tips too much

The trick is to keep people who pay

Well that’s great for you but as I’ve said it’s not just for a few grand. Look at it this way, you’re a doctor, you are fed up with the pay and conditions in the UK and have been contemplating a move to Australia. Labour then bring in VAT on your kids school fees…you think fuck it, that’s the final straw, I’ll move to the country that gives me a subsidy on the school fees.

would just casually uproot them from all that

Why are their reasons ‘casual’ when yours are not? These decisions are complex. I have to say though, seeing the level of bile and prejudice on here, I’d think twice if I were them, about moving their children to state schools. I can imagine the children’s attitudes, if it comes from parents that are saying stuff like this.

Higher tax rate payers are not cartoon baddies.

I have every sympathy with doctors. They have been treated like shit by this government. Most of them are public spirited people in my experience. I doubt these proposed changes will be the reason they leave. More like the overall structure of the tax system and being treated like crap by a Conservative government. It is one of the most short sighted things I have ever seen.

It’s not just doctors

It’s people who pay the tax for the public sector

Rising dependency is only going to mean greater tax burden

I'm sorry I just don't buy this. I get people do not like paying more tax. I do. But I am exactly the class of person you describe. I pay higher rates of tax. I send my children to private school. I am a highly qualified professional. And most of my circle are the same. No one know is planning to bugger off because of this.

I do not think we are really being honest here. What this is people who are running themselves ragged on private schooling. Several posters have said exactly that. They state this will affect them.

Now show me the highly qualified professional, who is earning good money that is really going to be affected. These people are comfortable.

Yes I’m sure you know more people in those circles than anyone else. Or maybe not.

I’m still looking at direction of tax burden and dependency and
glad we have a get out if needed

We’re pretty lucky as it goes, I’m aware of that daily. I’m still looking at direction of tax burden, policies and dependency and glad we have a get out if needed

@EasternStandard / the perversity here is I pay more tax under this Conservative government than I ever did under Labour. The world is frankly upside down in that respect.

Anyway, good luck to anyone who feels there is a better deal elsewhere for them. I have these freedoms too, but I love the UK. It has given me everything I have.

Well yes going back to my point on Blair. He knew keeping people happy at all levels was a good way to go

We’re also through a pandemic and war so I’m not sure what people would expect with that

There’s loads of places in the world that give great deals. People are happy all the time in many places