To think that improving state schools needs people to pay an e.g. a state school tax?

[Theyhadsomehoneyandplentyofmoney]

What with the current hoo ha about VAT on private school and commentary about equality and privilege.. wouldn’t it make sense to vastly improve state schools? And in order to do so obviously the government needs more cash.

Isn’t it reasonable therefore to ask anyone using state schools, to pay a bit of tax for that, in order to improve all said schools from their (often) current dire state?

No. State education is a public good. It should be free at the point of use for all. Any scheme like this runs the risk of children from impoverished families being excluded.

I actually pay for private school. I don’t agree with VAT being applied to that either. No idea why parents should pay twice - the school fees, plus the fact they’re not taking up the state school place they could use - whilst simultaneously in all probability paying a higher than average amount of tax.

We do need to raise more money to better fund state schools, but charging users of schools, on either sector, is not the fair way of doing it.

As a state school parent personally think it would be fairer to bring this in only for those not currently in the system. “Moving the goalposts” does seem unfair on those who have signed up to a commitment on one basis which is then changed.

No it doesn’t. The ones at the bottom are already not able to access private school.

@Tiredalwaystired but it does, as this policy does nothing for state schools, so the Etons of this world will carry on getting more exclusive and state schools, especially those struggling and in poor areas, will carry on getting worse with diminishing funding

Mmmhmmm

Yes because your idea of charging parents in poverty more tax because they have children in school wasn't going to widen that equality gap at all 🙄

There’s no more going to state schools NOW. What you’re ACTUALLY complaining about is not a widening gap from top to bottom but about the middle class parents not being able to give their children a financial advantage any more. That’s fine if that’s what you mean, but don’t try and dress it up as caring about the poorest as thats completely disingenuous.

But I do care about state schools, especially the most disadvantaged pupils. I have volunteered in many schools for many years. This policy will not help those children. It is the only Education reform Labour have mentioned so far. It is a gimmick and will do nothing for the schools that need help.

Are they the only ones we care about? What about the ones who were in the middle and are now priced out? They could’ve gone to private but now can’t. So because some can’t do it, others shouldn’t be able to?

I’m sure if some parents couldn’t afford it there would be exemptions.

😂🤷‍♀️

? But it would be part of tax. Just like the nhs. Like it is now. But people pay more of it, to help state schools improve. I guess the reason I specified a tax for schools was so that money didn’t get eaten up elsewhere. We currently pay for tax fir schools, nhs etc - it’s free at the point of use because we’ve paid taxes already.

Or, you know, we could use our current tax system which is based on what people earn, and it could be a universal tax which is based on people's incomes not on whether or not they currently have children in state school, because we all benefit from am educated population.

So with your exemption on your new special tax for those with children in private school, and your newly proposed exemption for the poor you are proposing to make life easier for the ones in the middle by charging them VAT on the state school they will now have to send their children to? I'm sure there's logic there somewhere...

So now because some will be charged, others who can't afford it will have to be charged still.

I said for all tax payers.

What are you talking about. You’re mixed up, sorry.

No you didn't

Isn’t it reasonable therefore to ask anyone using state schools, to pay a bit of tax for that, in order to improve all said schools from their (often) current dire state?

No because the whole point of state education is that every child can benefit no matter what their parents income is.

I'm not mixed up but you appear to be back tracking

You suggested a tax on parent in state schools

Then you said parent would couldn't afford the tax would be exempt

Then you claim you are looking out for those in the middle, except those are the ones penalised by your plan

You haven’t read all posts then? 🤷‍♀️

I was responding to the idea you suggested in your OP....

Good to know you have apparently back tracked on it and realised it was a terrible idea though, well done

You are missing the point.

Public schools are a necessary thing, which society needs, to produce an educated workforce.

The burden of paying for them is therefore shared, with those who can most afford it (ie the more wealthy, coincidentally often those who've benefitted heavily from the educated workforce and other economic advantages of the uk) paying a larger share.

Private schools are a completely separate thing. They are a luxury and are not required. It is reasonable that those who choose to use these do not benefit from tax exemptions, except where there is a clear social purpose (for example SEN schools).

I can’t understand the logic of saying that a family fully funding their children’s education with, say, household income of £100k should pay more tax through VAT, but those with income of, for example, £2m a year and using state education don’t have to pay a penny more.

Thanks babe. Guess you’re backtracking now too? 😂😂

Public schools are a necessary thing, which society needs,

Do you mean “public” schools, or do you mean “state”
schools? They are very different things in the UK. There is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding this policy and how the UK education system works.