it's daft to think parents with kids in private school have money to burn?

[Popgoestheweaselagain]

Just got asked by my school what would be the impact if they had to pay VAT, adding 20% to fees. My response was 'I'd try to keep my child in the school, but ....'. I think almost all parents would respond this way. Alarmed, did a quick google, and found this is Labour policy. Next time they come knocking at my door looking for my vote, I'll be telling them why they can't have it!

Now, I understand why some people are ideologically opposed to private schools, the unfariness etc. But when I hear this argument that goes something like 'Those people must have loads of money because they send their kids to private school' it kind of annoys me. Money is finite. If you've spent all your money on school fees, you obviously don't have it anymore!

Oh god yes. They really need to say they know what a woman is as they’re going to lose the votes of many people I know.

I don't see the issue. I pay VAT on loads of stuff. School fees are not essential or charitable. It just seems logical to me.

If it affects your vote that is your right, of course. The policy will have been focus grouped/polled.

I personally attended both private and state. My views are about what seems logical to me.

It would also drive house prices up even further in desirable catchment areas. There would still be huge inequality.

"It's daft to think parents with kids in private school have money to burn" and yet they do burn it (by buying their DC advantages over other children).

Don't think labour was counting on votes from right wingers anyway.

What about people on bursaries or those how are struggling to afford fees. The extra is unaffordable fir some.

Another way of looking at it is that, if VAT is introduced, private schools may have to reduce their fees if they want to continue attracting customers. So you may not be asked to find another 20% in practice.

The private secondary near us shares its facilities with the local states school: swimming pool, theatre, music department, and sports fields/equipment. I think it’s obliged to offer this to keep its charitable status.

I imagine this would end if the charitable status is lost. I think it would be a huge loss for local children.

Everyone bleating about 'but what about the students on 100% bursaries?" "what about the LA-funded SEN places?" - I'm sure it is not beyond the wit of man to exempt this income from tax, whilst still taxing the private school income from 100% fee-paying parents. Maybe that would encourage them to provide more of such places that are accessible to the non-loaded? Which, you know, would be the point of any such policy - levelling the playing field. Which is of course why those who pay for private school would HATE it - because precisely what they want is to use their financial clout to give their child an unearned leg up above the hoi polloi.

I have 2 kids in à private school although they did go to state primary. We never intended to go private but we didn’t get into the nearest school (where all DS friends were going) and instead got a failing school. I don’t consider us to be rich, but undoubtedly the majority of MN would disagree (both work ft in well paid jobs).

I hate this government with a passion. I’m a natural LibDem but hope Labour win the next election. I accept that this may mean private education is no longer an option. Ultimately if we go the Finnish route, I’d be happy.

this may seem illogical, but we made a decision in the best interests of the kids. If that’s no longer possible (if government taxes it beyond affordability), we will chain and choose accordingly.

University tuition fees are also exempt. Be careful what you wish for.

I do think having access to a decent, free at the point of delivery education is a luxury (thinking globally here).

The government of the day might have to - gasp - make education spending a priority of the government, and target taxation to resource this. Sounding worse and worse for the very wealthy, this plan, isn't it?

I would be interested to know whether people on here would still support vat on school fees if it ended up costing the exchequer more (due to the number of kids switching to state). I can see it both ways.

Last time I read an estimate it was that if privately educated kids were educated in the state system, we would need to raise an additional £7 billion in tax every year to pay for them. So I suppose they are trying to tread a fine line with that. You could equally argue that people who don't use private education (or private healthcare for that matter) shouldn't have to pay the taxes others pay for that. I wouldn't argue that but I think it's a fine line.

Who’s going to pay for all of this debt in the future and your state pension and healthcare?

They often are charities. Like many other educational institutions that charge fees eg universities and colleges. Ultimately they are almost always non profit making. They’re certainly not businesses anyway.

Its not always a luxury. The small private school is the only school able to meet the needs of my dc. I'm not a high earner. I work extra to afford it. Extra 20% is unaffordable. I understand its not the case for most in private school and we are probably an exception.

Also everyone would buy their dc an advantage if they could to say otherwise is disingenuous.

I see. So they're polling in the mid-forties despite all these masses of people who won't vote for them because 'they don't know what a woman is'?

What do you think their vote share would be if they did 'know what a woman is'?

It depends whether you think the nation as a whole would benefit from an educated population. State education isn't provided as a nice little bonus for the less wealthy so they don't have to pay for it themselves. It's provided to educate the children of the plebs to a standard where they should be able to contribute to the overall wealth of the nation.

Yabu and ridiculous. Private education is a luxury of course you should pay VAT

I'd have accepted VAT on school fees, and private healthcare, if there were a tax rebate relating to the services I elected not to use.

exactly. People love to hate on those who can afford things they don’t have, mostly it is just jealousy.
many parents pay for extra lessons (swimming, football, dance) for their children thus giving them an advantage in life.
life is unfair and some people can’t grasp this.
what parent doesn’t want the best for their child. It’s natural.
parents work extremely hard to send their kids to private school- it’s their money they can do what they want with it.
if you want more then work for it. In this country you have everything at your disposal to succeed. Don’t judge ‘rich’ folk for having more than you, accept what you have or do something about it. immigrant friends of mine who have come to this country are shocked at how much people moan here about everything! They cannot understand how with free healthcare, education etc people haven’t succeeded. Many come here with nothing and work their asses off all hours 7 days a week to get to where they are and are now successful. No it wasn’t easy and yes it took maybe 3 jobs 7 days a week for a few years but they do what they have to to get what they want without all the woe is me attitude. I admire them and it really makes me think about how easy we have it here without realising it.

Education should not be taxed though, regardless of who provides it. Education, is not a luxury, it is a necessity. How many pp's pay for tutors or sports clubs. They are business providing education. You can't single out one type of institution. And I repeat, private schools do not make excess profits. All profits go back into education. They do pay VAT on goods and services like anyone else does. However, UNLIKE businesses, they cannot claim it back. This also applies to all educational institutions,.

Do they? What about Jacob Rees Mogg, with his millions in off shore companies? Is he fairly taxed? Do you really think the millionaires and billionaires of the UK are fairly taxed? Do you think billionaires should even exist while children in the same country don't have enough to eat?

Utter nonsense though.

Access to education should be a fundamental right.

If you want to pay 5k a year so your kids can play rugby after school and not have to mix with kids from the council houses that's your lookout.