To be completely shocked by this - Bridget can’t tell us the impact of the government’s VAT on Education?

[Sasskitty]

Bridget Phillipson dodges question on impact of private school tax raid

As parents and schools complain of chaos, Ms Phillipson refuses to spell out details of the assessment made by the department for education

Bridget Phillipson failed to spell out the full impact of the government’s private school VAT raid, dodging the question when asked about the possible implications for special education schools.

While she said the government has “looked at all of the potential impacts”, her answer failed to provide any real detail on the expected consequences.

It comes as parents and schools complain about the implications of the tax raid, which came into force on New Year’s Day and is expected to raise £1.5bn for the Treasury.

YABU - Bridget Phillipson has it all in hand. She just didn’t feel like answering the pesky question. The point is to piss rich people off. Leave Labour alone, they want nothing but erm oh I’m not sure.

YANBU - Phillipson clearly has no idea what the impact of VAT on Education will be. Nor does she really care as long as she’s seen to be punishing those horrible rich people. Or even better (it seems) the not really rich ones just trying to improve the education of their children as the available state schools were not suitable.

https://apple.news/AO7fcmrzuRaik4stLaPQxwA

(sorry paywall but there’s not much more in the article)

PS. I’ve removed the poll tally, no one needs to see real data. Do they?

Children with special needs are facing having their schools closed due to them not being financially viable anymore. That is a travesty, when these children have no suitable education left for them.

Well what do you think the rest of us do?

Honestly the constant use of SEN to try and justify paying for privilege is so crass. The numbers of children having to/being able to access private education to meet SEN needs is minuscule. Yet nobody seems to be coming out in force to protest the lack of SEN provision in state schools as vehemently as they bemoan VAT on paid-for education. It feels very hollow.

Why use government policy to reduce the ability for one sector to provide SEN without the corresponding provision of places in the other sector?

So you want more kids to be in the same dire situation just so "it's fair"? Regardless of if it's minuscule or not (it isn't), there's simply no merit in lowering all to the same level. I have said it many many times that if this measure would in fact make any positive difference to SEN or any other form of education I could get behind it but it won't. Its literally just harming some kids for no conceivable advantage other than (flawed) ideology. I completely agree that far more should be said, and loudly about the state wide fuck up that is SEN provision...but why isn't it? Parents SHOULD be posting on AIBU and not the SEN board.

You are either woefully misinformed or bigoted. I’m not sure which one it is. Can you clarify?

So they are getting rid of the private school system? How's that then?

Well quite. There’s more to get angry about than VAT on school fees.

Do you really think that anyone holds the viewpoint you ascribe to me in your first sentence? Or are you indulging in hyperbole?

Exactly. It's a terrible policy and is just going to backfire on a lot of children.

Actually I agree with it as a policy; however I would like to see children with SEN being treated fairly for once. I feel it’s disingenuous to focus only on those who, for whatever reason, have been able to access private education because I don’t believe that’s really what people are upset about. I think they imagine it makes them look more caring though.

Wanting to look caring or not doesn't matter. It's just facts unfortunately. Government policy means a lot of SEN kids will need to leave their schools and go to state schools but the government haven't done anything about making the new places that will be needed or put enough extra funding in.

The fact that people are highlighting it shouldn't be dismissed. SEN children are UK children too and many will be Bridget Philipson's responsibility now. She doesn't seem to be ready to fulfil her responsibilities.

The Government are asking private schools parents to pay on average about £3600 per year per child for opting out of a free universal Government service. That is £300 per month or £10 per day, per child, to not use something that is free, at the point of delivery (but costs the Government £7k plus per year per child).

If the Government suddenly asked every state school parent in families with at least one 40% taxpayer to pay £10 per day per child for their own state schooling, to improve state schooling for all, there would be massive outrage.

Now take a step back and think. The Government are asking the former to contribute to the latter, with no hope of improving the latter (because there are only 6% in one group, but 94% in the other) and not asking the latter to contribute anything.
Makes zero sense all round. And the fact the former group are somehow outraged, is hardly surprising, is it now?

Now ask yourself how much tutoring you can buy with £3600 per annum instead and then decide what parents, even those with NT kids and or without other SEND, are likely to do in the long run (other than the super rich ones, using the really top very expensive schools, call it the top 100 private schools which probably only cater to about 100k kids maximum).

Tutoring is about £50 on average per lesson and there is homework on top.

On a pure common sense basis, it is pretty clear what is going to happen. The Government is just going to have to pay for far more children to attend state schools.

asking private schools parents to pay ’

No. the businesses private parents use are asking for £££ lots of £££.
You can’t afford it? Tough. There lots of things people can’t always afford. Or, you know, get a better job.

Is it a lot?

Well that will be the question, bearing in mind the title of this thread. It's no way to make decisions for children which will potentially have a life long effect. But unfortunately Labour are doing a lot of things with no idea of the repercussions which is one of the many reasons why they are so loathed.

Actually they are, the SEN groups are campaigning for more provision.

I don't pay for privilege. My daughter's fees are paid for by her EHCP. This is because the council agreed this is the most appropriate and cost effective education for her, due to SEN.

I tried to keep her in the state sector for many years, but it was completely unsuitable, and they eventually asked her to leave.

For parents of children with SEN, it's not a choice.

My point is that some people who are opposed to VAT on private school fees are using children with SEN to make a political point. Yet when it comes to the utter scandal of SEN provision in state schools they’re quiet.
I have children with SEN myself so I do understand the battles and challenges involved in trying to secure an appropriate education.

They’re not really loathed though, are they? Mildly unpopular at best, and certainly not because of VAT on school fees. The majority supports that policy.

Who cares if they are using SEN as part of their argument? Why do you care? It's a perfectly valid argument and a relevant one. And are you one of those people that believe that private school parents have to, as well as being responsible for their own children's schooling, somehow sort out the SEN provision in state schools?

No one has given any positive reason for the VAT policy so far. It's just waffle.

I doubt it. Most reasonable people can see it will only harm children.

And Labour are loathed. Make no mistake about that. And it's only going to get worse.

Then surely you would understand the concerns of SEN parents regarding their children who are educated in the private sector?

Children with SEN have had no provision made for them with the VAT changes. Special schools are not even exempt. This is a travesty, and should be raised. It's not a 'political point', but the futures of our children, who are extremely vulnerable.

You have made some grossly incorrect assumptions about myself and other parents of children with additional needs who are educated in the private sector.

How silly. I haven’t made a single assumption about you. To be honest it would be virtually impossible to do that since it’s hard to differentiate you from several other posters here.
It really is all a case of people protesting too much. I think I’ve said all I need to on the subject.

You said I was paying for privilege. Which was an incorrect assumption.

You could at least apologise for jumping to incorrect assumptions and consider your views now that you have learnt more. I don't think that's likely though.

‘And Labour are loathed. Make no mistake about that. And it's only going to get worse.’

By the Tory/Reform voters I’m sure they are. By the parents who can’t accept the loss of a tax break they are too but a lot of people voted for them and they won an election by a landslide so…

Yeh you might want to look at how that’s changed since then

They’re in third. Has any new Gov lost support that quickly?