To think that people who agree with VAT on private school fees but not on university fees, are hypocrites?

[Blanket601]

If Labour add VAT to private school fees, they should also add VAT to university fees. Or no VAT on either. The principle and rule, should be the same.

Why is only private school education being platformed. I think we all know why.

We’ve got to do something after shopping and feeding the ponies.

Things that are "politics of envy" = opposing subsidised private schools. This that aren't envious in anyway oh no = people bitching about subsidised council housing.

So many threads on this. CCHQ really are desperate.

I actually can’t follow what you are saying here. Aren’t you mixing personal tax with business taxes?

Well it's a Labour policy.

Surely they own it and want people talking it about it, not for it to be swept under the carpet ?

Why would a party have a policy that it doesn't want people to talk about ? If they are ashamed of it and don't want people discussing it just don't implement it.

Private schools are first and foremost businesses, that only the wealthy can afford.

To compare them to universities is ludicrous.

A lot of private schools are academically selective. DS’s school requires minimum of 5 GCSEs grade 6 and above for sixth form entry along with entry exam. Even those who have been at the school from yr7 have a minimum requirement. All pupils are expected to take 10-12 GCSEs in yr 11. Learning is accelerated and new pupils to the school in yr12 often struggle to keep up initially.
This is what parents pay for, a better learning environment for bright pupils who ( in my DS’s case) who may be prone to dumbing down if not in ability based teaching groups. Ability setting for all subjects from yr9 allows the brightest to finish the curriculum at an accelerated pace and spend time on enrichment.
I found that the school was very similar in its approach to my 1970s state comprehensive in its approach to setting for ability. DS would have fitted in well in our local state but the lack of sport (his passion) was a problem.

It’s not all about money, a schools main marketing point is results. You need academic able students to achieve results. No amount of money can gild the lily. Although a few of DS’s friends were heavily tutored to keep up, unfortunately they were often quietly asked to find alternative provision if they couldn’t keep up their grades.

It's not the same. It really isn't. 🤣

Exactly!

Not comparable at all

Just send your kids to state schools. Problem solved.

YABU. There is no “State” free alternative to universities. Students are crippled with debt these days as it is.

So many incorrect facts in that link...

This!

I think private schools should be abolished personally.

An envy politics people pleasing ‘punish the wealthy’ policy

Don't be ridiculous. VAT is levied on the vast majority of luxury services and private schooling is very definitely a luxury. Taxation is not designed to "punish the wealthy", the working classes pay tax too you know.

Your argument about University education is just clutching at straws. Unlike schools, there are no state funded Universities that people can choose to access. The two things are not remotely comparable.

This. I have no idea about the legalities around charitable status or VAT, but in my opinion private schools and universities are not comparable. Universities should be free or at least much cheaper for those wanting to attend. Also university admittance is based on merit not (just) on wealth (though you can obviously argue a correlation ). Also people attending uni is needed to be able to provide people for important roles in our society (Drs nurses teachers etc).

What's the going rate to start a thread on Mumsnet about Labour and VAT on private school fees? Maybe we could add it to the make £10 a day threads.

Would you mind explaining what these taxes are? I can't think of any taxes that state parents pay but private don't.

The well-off clutching at straws to keep the rest subsidising their private education.

Laughable.

I’d love to know how “the rest” are subsidising the school fees I pay. Is there some magic fund of tax payers money I don’t know about that I can apply for to cover them?

This

Would you mind explaining this and how it works. I am not sure what you mean.

Ha! It often feels like it!

We all know what Labour are trying to do with this policy. There’s a good chance it appeals (or feels neutral) to 93% of the population so it’s a good vote winner.

If Labour is going to implement it, I’d like to see them go further to address inequality. My proposal would be to find a way of taxing those families extra who buy expensive houses in order to access top state schools. Ie. Private schools by another name.

It’s not as black and white as 7% private vs 93% state. How many wealthier people (from all sides of the political spectrum) essentially ‘buy’ their children a place at a top tier state school and then claim to be virtuous by not being in the private sector?

Of course, this wouldn’t fit the Labour agenda.

I can't quote a quote on the app, so

The tax budget has to come from somewhere.

If the well-off are allowed to continue to purchase a luxury item Vat free, that money has to come from general taxation.

Same with non-doms and tax avoidance. The burden is transferred to the taxpayer.

These threads reassure me that Labour will win the general election. 😃😀😄

Hey Tory voter. You ignorance is startling. Comparing apples with pears.

Cannot wait for private schools to start charging VAT on fees.