AIBU that VAT on school fees makes no economical sense?

[fuckwitery]

Trying to research what it costs the state to put a child through school each year. Figures I've found show between £6 - £8k. We pay £13k per DC per year. That's prep, so will be more for senior school. So at the mo introducing VAT on these fees would add £2,600 to the state coffers. £4k for senior school.

We, and lots of others who just about manage to pay for private schooling, will be forced to take their children out. Therefore it's a NET loss for the state?

Or am I missing something.

ONe poster mentioned that her DD went to a dance school (and that she would be priced out)

Of course that's a better characterisation of the lack of homogeneity on private schools (which makes this policy rather shitty as it stands, but I'm hoping for more consideration of the detail and no rush to just tax and spend) than those pesky ones mentioned repeatedly by several posters concerning complex additional needs.

Silly me for pointing out that specialist schools are about a fuck load of things more important than cheap shots about dance. But it's unfortunately something that still needs to be said over and over again.

Sorry where did I say 'and special needs schools can go fuck themselves too'?

I didn't say anything about special needs schools so chill out. Not everyone is having a go at you all the time.

My children are state educated. Happy with this decision, we are in fortunate position to afford lots of extracurricular activities and if needed private tuition. If we did private education we would need to cut back on all our living expenses to just about manage, and i'd need to switch from part-time to full-time work. Friends privately educated and it's a strain. Personally you pays your money you takes your choice. I don't think private education leads to a charmed life or even necessarily a better paid job. Can't be bothered with any jealousy over it. I think private education saves the state lots of money. I'm not pro vat being charged.

I'm sorry but some of you need to live in the real world. Oh no, I can't afford my specialist dance school. Meanwhile, there are kids being fed from food banks

Bizarre strawman there. You could say that about ANYTHING. Do you have a car? Holidays? New clothes? Meanwhile there are kids getting food from food banks......

I still don't think there's a practical solution when there wouldn't be a state place for my child. Where would she go if her school is closed?

Yeah I have a car and stuff. The difference is I don't think it is unfair that I get taxed on it.

It is a luxury and should be taxed.

That's hardly a strawman. I suggest you go back to 1st year philosophy to read about what strawman actually means.

But educated is VAT exempt. That's the whole point.

But way to be patronising. Truly the sign of a strong argument

And of course conveniently no answer to the school place issue.

I didn't think he would thrive there. And he's absolutely thriving where he is. He's sensitive and misjudges things. Very bright but requires patience. I'm not saying he'd have fallen off the edge of the world at state school. Just that the smaller classes and more attention he gets, and the extra curricular activities that go with private school suit him and his nature better. I chose to send him there at a sacrifice to other things. There certainly aren't tens of thousands of pounds sloshing about.

DD is more naturally adaptive and bright and capable. And a hard worker. She's one of those that could go anywhere, work hard and do well.

Jealous ? loll

Yea ok . Like we all want ours in private schools anyway , mixing with those they would never mix with otherwise (working class and council my kids so won't be welcomed)

Why do so many of you think others are jealous ??!

Dismissing other people's principles as envy or jealousy is just so dim and offensive. And says far more about the person saying it than anyone else.

If VAT pushes bright motivated kids into State schools how is that a bad thing?

The private school nearest us has a far more diverse mix than the local state school.

If VAT pushes bright motivated kids into State schools how is that a bad thing?

There won't be the money to pay for the things the VAT was allegedly going to be used for plus increased pressure on schools.

Re. VAT and the EU

I was interested in this and so googled it, this would suggest that they could just say that all 'in business' schools were no longer exempt.

No mention of EU at all.

"The private school nearest us has a far more diverse mix than the local state school"

Yep- privileged middle class children of many races..........l.

I'm sorry, Jacque, I didn't get your point at all.

Education is tax exempt for now - Labour want to change this. That is the whole point of this thread.

You can't talk about others being patronising if you bring up crap about logical fallacies that everyone on the internet seems to use to try to win an argument these days, despite having a shaky knowledge of what those fallacies actually mean.

And our local state school has white children from not a wide social mix.

Education is tax exempt for now - Labour want to change this.

Not just Labour: www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/private-schools-pay-tax-michael-gove-vat-boost-state-education-charity-status-funding-mic-a7597126.html

Jellyfizz, that is implementing an EU directive but does not contain the whole rules you need to look at Article 132 of this directive or the helpful tables that summarise this here

seoulsurvivor Jaques point is that whilst we are in the EU there is no discretion for Labour to make this decision.

Given we'll be out of the EU in a couple of years, I don't see how that's relevant.

Given we'll be out of the EU in a couple of years, I don't see how that's relevant. well it's very relevant because we are bound by that law now and will be for at least a good chunk of the next Parliament.

OP we are in the same situation. I've been emailing back and forth with my (wonderful) labour MP about it in fact.

We have DC in prep school. £12k per yr. this is a massive struggle for us but one we signed up for. No complaints here - we have made many sacrifices and will not enjoy the retirement our colleagues and peers will. That's fine.

But we can't afford another 20% on top. We have no safety net, no buffer, nothing.

^It will cost the state money to educate our DC - we are saving the state money. What's the problem?
^
I feel sick as I am a loyal labour voter, a party member and I cannot vote for them this time. I just can't. I can't afford 45p in the pound tax and I can't afford more fees. I am at my absolute limit.

Yes 45p tax meaning less take home salary plus a 20% hike. It's nuts. And as others have said if we were to try to manage it we'd be spending less on other things, probably meaning the equivalent about of VAT lost as we would be charged in fees

Private school fees have gone to 29% in real terms (i.e. Taking into account inflation) over the past decade or so. That's an astonishing amount considering salary rises haven't matched.

So yes the good old middle classes suffer again. Private schools really will become the preserve of the uber wealthy only.

Thank fuck they haven't got a cats hell chance of wining.

If it's irrelevant why even talk about it then?