Should Private School fee payers get a tax rebate

[Pamplemousecat]

Just following on from another thread. If a child isn’t in the state system should the parents still have to pay the proportion of tax that is taken for education?

Personally, I’d raise all taxes through spending (VAT plus)with exclusion of essentials from tax. There are far too many loopholes that allow quite wealthy to have their tax bills minimised and spending actually reimbursed against taxes.
Get rid of the loopholes by taxing all spending.

Are you happy with the charitable status?

At my son's school, 25% of the boys are on bursaries. They're fundraising/planning to be needs-blind in the medium-term. Why shouldn't they be designated as a charity?

Another point about charitable status is gift aid.

Private schools ask for donations, gift aided donations carry tax credits. So taxpayers provide funds to private schools.

Get rid of the loopholes by taxing all spending.

That would create enormous black markets, obviously.

I went to private school on a scholarship. I don’t think you should be able to justify charitable status on the basis that you take on some poor kids and let them share in the privilege. Probably the arguments for charitable status aren’t solely based on bursaries etc though...

We have 3 DC in independent schools. Two schools are circa £8k a term and one is £6k, so about £66k per year or roughly double that pre tax. 20% VAT on 3 sets of fees would be almost like an extra set of fees.

I’m actually at the point that I would still vote for JC and his extra taxes if there is a chance if a second referendum. I listened to the TUC conference when the speaker was saying Brexit is a symptom of social and educational deprivation in society and I agree. Its gone too far. I want all children to be able to access the kind of education mine have had. I think education is key to social mobility, of course it is. I have seen first hand the difference it can make.

My only reluctance is that the money would be wasted in bureaucracy under a JC administration. Would it make much difference? Plus schools can only do so much when a child is coming from extreme poverty or a home where expectations are so low.

I think a lot of proponents of the state system on here are families who wouldn’t put up with a school failing their child. Homes in suburban or more rural areas where there is more “cultural capital” (if that’s the right term) or the more sharp-elbowed parents who take an interest and demand a higher standard. Schools in areas with a predominance of this kind of parent will always do better. As an ex social worker, I’m very aware that the best school in the world can only do so much in the absence of any parental expectations and support.

I don’t know where to start really, but I do know that we seem to have a two-tier education system in this country and the gulf is widening. Something needs to change for sure. But throwing money at schools is only part of the solution when there is so much social deprivation. I walk one if my DC to school every day and pass increasing numbers of homeless in the streets; children who literally look malnourished and do msny peiple who are clearly surviving on the fringes if society. Unless we can address poverty and inequality our society is doomed, if it isn’t already. Extremism will flourish as people become increasingly alienated. If paying extra tax will alleviate this, then bring it on. I’m just not sure Corbyn has the ability or a realistic strategy to achieve anything.

No. In any civilised society polling of costs and risks happens so the rich and the healthy subsidise the poorer. No-one should get out of paying their taxes for funding public services including health, education etc. I imagine I will make use of private health and education later on. That is my choice and a luxury. I shouldn’t have the choice not to pay taxes because I have enough money to pay for better services through choice. That would be a travesty.

Are you happy with charitable status?

In some cases, yes

www.orpheus.org.uk/Pages/Category/our-college

jigsawschool.co.uk/about-us/jigsaw-trust/

www.meathschool.org.uk

Families in our support group go to these.

You do all know that Eton has charitable status, don’t you?

I suppose another option would be to give charitable status up to the level of state per pupil funding. Eg £5k per year. I’ve not thought that through though

Just following on from another thread. If a child isn’t in the state system should the parents still have to pay the proportion of tax that is taken for education?

Not RTFT but should the car driver should get a rebate for not using PT, or the childfree for not using education?

Why is Eton always trotted out as an example when discussing private schools. It’s very far removed from the majority of private schools in the U.K...

You do all know that Eton has charitable status, don’t you?

And income of about £73m in 2018

Sorry bold fail!

@Grasspigeons- i’m sorry- I thought I had said earlier that of course special schools should be considered separately, but I didn’t. There has to be a conversation about access to private special schools- maybe that is where some of the money gained by imposing VAT or removing charitable tax breaks from other private schools should go.

For those enjoying the idea of private schools losing charitable status you do realise that the state system will be inundated with former private pupils then unable to afford the fees.

I love it when private educators pull this one.

Hahahahahahahhahhaha.

“Why is Eton always trotted out as an example when discussing private schools. It’s very far removed from the majority of private schools in the U.K.”
Of course it is. But it highlights the utter absurdity of charitable status for private schools.

No.

Source: I went to a private school. I have worked in private schools. I (currently) cost the NHS very little. I have no children. I don't smoke.

I earn above the average salary. I am very lucky.

But it highlights the utter absurdity of charitable status for private schools

For that private school.

Unless you’re privy to how every private school in the country that has charitable status deals with that then it isn’t really an example of anything.

I absolutely agree that (actually more than just schools) any organisation that has charitable status should be subject to rigorous inspection to see whether they deserve the status.

“any organisation that has charitable status should be subject to rigorous inspection to see whether they deserve the status.”

Well, that would be a start.

I think, actually, that a discussion about tax breaks for child-free couples is well overdue.

What a ridiculous question. I've never called the fire brigade, I might ask for a rebate on the proportion of my taxes used to pay for that

Also while we're on the subject of taxes for private schools, how about we stop pretending they are charities and scrap their tax benefits, as they clearly overwhelmingly benefit a privileged minority - distinctly at odds with most other charities.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/aug/16/private-schools-charitable-status-strip-benefits

By the OP way of thinking, I should get a tax rebate, as I don't have any children. And at 53 and post hysterectomy, that ain't going to change.

I don't think like that btw, I want people who are going to be looking after me when I'm old eg doctors, nurses blah blah should be educated fully.

What about people who have private medical insurance? By your reckoning they should get a rebate too. (They shouldn't imho).

Yes I’m happy about charitable status. That said I’m in Scotland and that is changing anyway. Yes state schools don’t benefit from the same break in respect of rates but that money is circular between them and the authorities and factored into budgets. I doubt that state schools would keep any rebate their budget would just be reduced as the income that was previously there to allocate will have gone.

@Spidey66 I totally agree. I have private medical insurance and would never expect s rebate