Doubts grow over Labour’s VAT plan for private schools

[Blanketyre]

Article in the Observer here:
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/oct/05/doubts-grow-over-labours-vat-plan-for-private-schools

I must say they've gone very quiet on it.

I did. Did you?

Yes thanks and from the Equality Trust. Their headline isn't "indy schools are the cause of all the wealth inequality in the uk".

Some inequality... yes... but I'd argue there would be far less.

Not that we'll ever know because this has never happened in the UK. And it will never happen because too many rich and powerful people use private schools.

it isn't "indie schools do not contribute to inequality" either.

The policy is a soundbite. I have no skin in the game but I think it’s political game playing. It won’t raise anywhere near enough money to make a real difference. Even the most optimistic predications suggests a tiny contribution to the education budget.
My eldest is in a state primary - they need more money. So raise taxes! Across the income brackets. Level with people about what’s needed and implement a well defined, funded, plan. When you have a catchment based admissions process and grammar schools, it will do nothing to level the playing ground.
The recent ISC report shows that admissions have dropped, with smaller and cheaper independents being impacted far more. This policy is hitting the parents scrimping and saving to save kids suffering in state (for a variety of reasons) far more.

Many parents use the private sector for different reasons. For example, some parents choose to send their quiet, anxious child to a private school, a child who could be displaying SEN traits. That child copes perfectly well with smaller classes and tailored education without an EHCP. They would fall apart in the state system.

The VAT is going raise a tiny amount (even looking at their optimistic figures). Any tax raised isn’t going to fund any state SEN provision. It’s been allocated to new expert teachers, teacher and headteacher training, work experience and careers advice, language development in primary schools, ofsted reform, new nurseries and mental health support for every school. All this is going to be funded by the 1% of the state education budget estimated to be raised by the VAT. Not a single penny is allocated to SEN support.

But the wealthy would still have the same amount of money and they would still spend it to buy advantage for their DC

Because the local authority will have refused to assess for an EHCP. Needs will not be considered high enough. But they are still there, leaving parents no choice but to seek alternative provision.

An ex Etonian I know (who went on a scholarship) said that Eton do R&D into new teaching methods and then use this to help the nearby state schools.

Do you genuinely think the wealthy do not think they're buying their kids an advantage by sending them to private school? They wouldn't waste their money if they didn't think this.

So, remove indie schools from the picture, yes they will buy other advantages for their children, but a segregated ivory tower education will not be one of them. Unless they're mega rich and they send their kid abroad. But as everyone keeps posting her in MN most private school parents aren't mega rich.

Absolutely. Which takes us back to why Labour has ruled out income tax increases but has chosen this policy instead - no rationale, just politics of sound bites and blind ideology (and rather naive and ill prepared, especially considering the time they had to think about it)

There are posters on here who use the state system (not the private system) who care about the policy. I’m confused about posters who click on a thread with the words VAT and private schools in the title and then whinge that they don’t want to read threads about VAT and private schools. Why have they clicked on the thread?

And most parents who choose indy aren't doing it to buy a specific advantage

Sunday paper talk.

Might be timing of when it is introduced, let's see in the budget on 30 October.

You can move abroad without being “mega rich”. I know a few people who’ve done it this year. Families are increasingly looking at this option.

I doubt that there would be a mass exodus. People would need find new jobs for starters. And adapt to a new culture.

Yes, I don’t think it’s unusual. Our school staff help teach in state schools.

Segregated ivory tower is alive and well in state sector. Look at all the MN posts on how they can get their DC into best state schools (several such posts on the go at the moment).

I disagree. If there were no advantages, they wouldn't do it.

SEN provision- advantage
smaller classes- advantage
sports provision- advantage

I know families who’ve done it within the last year. It’s not as difficult as some might imagine. We’ve lived abroad before. It wasn’t a particular challenge to do so.

Yes, I don't argue with that. Doesn't mean private schools aren't also ivory towers also.

Ok.

Then why is Reeves looking at a tax on those who leave the country? Enough must be leaving in order for this to be suggested

@mugboat just for clarification, when you say "remove" do you mean abolish them?
Interested in your views on advantages provided by access to private health care, would you be in favour of "removing" it too?
Worth noting that countries from which the UK can learn a not on equality do not tax private education (some, like Denmark, actually subsidise it) and instead use income and wealth taxes, as traditional and tried-and-tested instruments.

Ask any estate agent selling properties in these areas of top tier state schools how they've a waiting list of parents desperate to relocate.