VAT on private school fees - will it change how you vote?

[Iwishicouldflyhigh]

Following on from the other interesting thread about whether it will be implemented, will this policy change how you vote either way?
For me - i've voted Labour and Tory over the years, but Tory for the most recent GE's. This year, i've been thinking seriously about how i'd vote at the next GE and it wasn't definitely a Tory vote - i was definitely a floating voter.
However, my children are at PS and so i will now most definitely be voting Tory (not just because how the VAT will seriously impact us - child number 3 will now not be going to the prep that we had lined up for her, she'll enter the local primary until secondary school - but how i think that it will affect schools negatively and children negatively).
I have a lot of left leaning friends who educate privately and whilst they cannot bring themselves to vote Tory, they won't vote Labour either at the next GE because of this policy.

It seems to me that this policy is only a vote loser (ie many Labour voters and 'floaters' who school privately won't vote for them at the next GE) and not a vote winner (ie i can't imagine that many Tory or 'floaters' will vote for Labour solely on this policy).

AiBU to think that Labour have really shot themselves in the foot with this idea?

@notthatthis

This! I am in the catchment area, but on a waiting list. At the moment paying 60K a year for 2 children and not rich - I don't have the additional 12K - so would likely pull them out from private school.

But if you're spending £60k a year on privately educating your children then you are objectively rich in the UK.

I think saying things like 'I'm not rich' when you're spending about double the average salary on privately educating your children is quite tone deaf and shows the huge disconnect between people's perception of what it means to be 'not rich' and the reality of it.

👏

Tbh this thread has swung me from pretty neutral when I first saw it to actually thinking it’s an ok idea.
The views are quite horrible in some cases, deluded in others or even insulting.
I’m trying to be more objective for the children, I’m happy to see education valued and I want children to succeed, but the parents on here haven’t endeared me to the cause

Well done trying to explain! Unfortunately, just like the Brexit lie was sold to the gullible and we all now pay the price for it, we are going to have to sit back and watch this car crash play out too….!

I feel the same but in the other direction

I guess that’s what happens

I don’t blame people for not wanting to be Starner’s electoral gimmick

I can’t see anyone else putting up their hand, or in their pockets

That comes across loud and strong!

People not wanting to pay and relying on someone else to pay - yes it does

For the record I’m more on board with the state contribution idea. So at least I back up calls for more for state with an offer not just someone else do it

Yes, some of the posters against VAT on school fees seem to be suffering from quite a superiority complex. It's not exactly endearing and certainly isn't going to convince anyone to vote against the policy. The fact that some are threatening to leave the country seems like an added bonus.

As if you were ever going to vote Labour in the first place.😂

As if you know me 😂

God I hope not anyway you sound unpleasant enough already

This is a shit policy there are others that would attract me mainly SM / CU which would actually give a bump

Obviously they are who they are appealing to the same so it wouldn’t be on the cards

But if they had a personality change and could be serious about stuff not this gimmicky crap then yeh I’d look at it

This way it’s a bit circling down for your votes

Precisely - no one is against improving funding for state schools or does not care about the terrible state a few of them are in (just watch the BBC Panorama documentary, bad decision making by those in government is shambolic!) but private school parents should not be the ones pushed to dig deeper to sort out this mess, on top of the tax contributions they already make.

It is now time for those high earning families who benefit from free state education for their children to contribute more and everyone take this and the next government to task to better fund the schools they send their children to.

There’s plenty of high earning in state, there’s no reason it couldn’t be that group offering up extra

I don't have to know you. You have made plenty of posts on MN which make it clear you do not plan to vote for Labour regardless of this particular policy.

And I answered what could swing it. If Labour aren’t strong enough to actually give real economic increase via policy it’s not down to me. If a Brexit vote is preferable to mine so be it.

There’s plenty lining up to fall for this policy though so who cares if I don’t.

Labour have won you over so stick with your own vote and decision

Is that the idea that was floated earlier- so the Private schools don't pay VAT but people who use state schools are means tested and pay a tax accordingly so essentially those who pay for private school can save their earnings but state school users have to pay out more?

Remind me, was it the Conservatives who proposed getting 'Brexit done', I'm really confused as I thought they were the party for the financially savvy, those with extensive and comprehensive financial modelling experience and yet it reads on here like this was nothing to do with them and despite this economic mismanagement, nearly all who are against VAT on PSs are going to vote them in again! I wouldn't call that astute unless of course the status quo is all you are 'actually' interested in.

The Labour party are not looking to gain the Neo-liberals' vote so why expect them to adopt such policies.

Precisely. No one seems to have a problem with multi millionaires using state education and, therefore, state resources which could be used elsewhere.

So you know more than the IFS, you know what modelling they used and i presume your complex modelling is far superior.... fine, i'm slightly sceptical about that but if you say so, it must be true - i read it on MN.

But where there is no doubting your abilities is in condescension "a modicum of understanding"

Some people.

“Is that the idea that was floated earlier- so the Private schools don't pay VAT but people who use state schools are means tested and pay a tax accordingly so essentially those who pay for private school can save their earnings but state school users have to pay out more” @Goldenbear* *

I’m not sure if you have noticed yet but this country cannot afford to do anything for free anymore, it’s just not working out if you want a good service! Call it a tax or whatever you like but just like you pay for other services, if you expect your child to get a good state education, you are going to need to start contributing more towards it.

And this idea did not originate on MN, it has already been floated by policy makers and is starting to gain traction so before you know it, it will be a new thread on MN that you will all be up in arms about!

Like everyone else, multi millionaires are entitled to use universal public services, as poor as they are.

I think a level of desperation is starting to creep into the justification not to put VAT on school fees.

I have two kids in private school and I will be voting Labour l.

What do you mean "if a Brexit vote is preferable to mine"?!

I'm just asking for clarification, no blame here, chill out.

I’m confused as to why “private schools” are being addressed as one bloc.

There is a world of difference between private schools such as the GDST and MGS who have strived to minimise fees for their entire history, and whose appeal is entirely to the middle-middle class in areas where there are no grammar schools; and schools such as Stowe and Marlborough which are about pitching social status and where the fees and associated lifestyle costs are so huge that only the already very rich would even contemplate sending their kids there, and where a 20% surcharge would be chump change.

Hardly when you have no idea what I sacrifice to ensure my children can attend that school. lots of people have 2 parents on similar income as our family one parent pays bills another pays for school fees - many don't have much left to even afford 1 holiday a year. Some people have grandparents paying. Might seem rich to you but that would be jumping the gun when you have no idea of someone's circumstances.

It gets worse! Why can't every child get treated the same in this country? Everyone especially those with tax paying parents deserves their tuition fee stipend paid to a school of their choice. This is how it should be for every single child. Just as they do in other countries. Education should be FREE for everyone.