Kier starmer! He hates strivers!

[Bucketheadbucketbum]

He wants to introduce a policy to put up the cost of school fees 10 to 15%. This is a tax on hard-working parents! We slave away cutting cots everywhere living hand to mouth to try and improve our childrens future . Live in an average house average area 1 shit car no holidays work like a dog to get our kids through. We are easing the burden on the state system by choosing independent schools. We're not sending them to Eton paid by our trust fund! Why does he want to punish strivers! Tax the energy companies! So disappointed. We need a new political party. What's the point in trying to better your future.

The worst part is doesn’t even need to do politics by committee / cheap shots. He’ll wreck institutions, including HoL, and he could get in without both policies. Depressing to watch and the opposite to Blair who knew how to build positivity not envy

If they are working age then they can get a better job or different career. Why do people pick jobs which pay terrible salaries and then complain when they don't have enough money?

There are plenty of high paying jobs in sectors with skills shortages. If you have a job that sucks then change jobs or retrain.

Starmer ( from a working class background) is the poster boy for striving and aspiration

@Lightowl

That's not what I said.

If I absolutely had to go private I would. Thankfully I can afford it.

As I did with the dentist.

But no, I don't pay a monthly fee to Bupa or whoever.

Of course it is but it lands well, but will bad.

Why do people keep going on about "politics of envy"

I don't envy people who send their kids to private school...where I live, you only send them private if they're not clever enough to pass the 11 plus. And the private schools are consistently outperformed by the grammars. It's just a consolation prize for the tims nice but dims.

It's not politics of fucking envy. Jesus Christ.

I am on a very good salary and have zero to be envious about.

It's about fairness and equal opportunity for all - not just those who can afford it.

Fuck sake!

This

The fundamental issue is, would raising vat and / abolishing fees improve state education? I think it wont. The argument that the Uber rich will then influence policy is flawed..they'll outsource tutoring or send kids abroad. the change needed in the state sector will take years because it involves huge investment in teacher training and recruitment and infrastructure. Somewhat upthread accused me, as a teacher, of obviously not really caring about all kids. If your kid is one of those lucky ones who will do well anywhere, that's great, they don't need me. I'm interested in the ones who cannot cope in state and need alternative provision. Now, not in decade.

I agree with this policy and I've got one DC at private school. I've always thought it ridiculous that private schools can claim to be a charity.

I struggle with this talk of making huge "sacrifices" to pay for private school. My DDs school fees are £15k per year. What are people sacrificing to pay that exactly - it's not food or energy or anything that is essential for everyday quality of life.

It's more likely be driving an old car rather than a new one or flying economy on holiday rather than business class. These aren't really sacrifices in my opinion. We won't be having an overseas holiday at all next year to help balance the books during the cost of living crisis and to allow us to carry on paying the school fees - this is not a sacrifice it's just a different financial decision. We'll have a lovely camping holiday - again not a sacrifice because we bloody love our camping holidays.

Sounds like the OP has more than one DC at private school so I'd love to hear exactly what "sacrifices" are being made to pay the school fees of at least £30k a year.

£20 per child at my son's school would raise around £30,000. When school budgets dont run to sufficient glue I think that £30,000 could be usefully spent.

"If they are working age then they can get a better job or different career. Why do people pick jobs which pay terrible salaries and then complain when they don't have enough money?"

Because if everyone did that we'd have no nurses, care workers, teachers, teaching assistants, cleaners, retail workers - you remember, all those people we discovered during a global pandemic were actually essential?

If they are working age then they can get a better job or different career. Why do people pick jobs which pay terrible salaries and then complain when they don't have enough money?

Is this a serious comment?

They are businesses so they should be taxed as businesses. Whether they absorb that or pass it on to their customers is a matter for them, like any business.

Hahaha. Or salaries would rise for those roles?

That’s 0.5 FTE of a good teacher. It really wouldn’t make much difference.

And btw I'm not suggesting those people are paying for private education, though some of them may be. Just take exception to the idea that if you're struggling you should just get a different job. Salaries very rarely compensate in line with the vitalness of the jobs, sadly.

He doesn't want to "punish strivers". He thinks they shouldn't get special tax breaks. Quite right too.

Should have 'strived' for better paid jobs then shouldn't you?

Well said. One doesn't make 'sacrifices' to pay for luxury goods. One makes choices. In this case a choice to purchase enormous advantages over 94% of other children, although these advantages are becoming less automatic nowadays.

"Hahaha. Or salaries would rise for those roles?"

Well let's hope so, as people are leaving those professions in droves.

It would also be wiped out by just 6 kids moving over from the private sector.

So £30,000 would go towards paying for an extra teacher or more trips or better facilities.

You are still failing to argue why private schools should be classed as charities.

@Potterie your area sounds like mine. I have one at a state grammar and one at private. The one at private has slow processing and difficult health issues which have led to anxiety and mental health issues which meant she struggled at state school. Not nice to describe a child like mine as nice but dim but her school is where the wealthier kids who fail the 11 plus go.