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?

You mean billion.

They may not have liked you though either with that kind of attitude.

My son went to one. I m not naming it

Many small private schools are. Do some research

Oh yes sorry!! Can't believe I write million despite Keir having said the phrase 22 billion times itself.

😂😂😂😂😂

Mysterious answer.....

State school kids are three steps behind when they even start what?

It's not a business.

Private schools are businesses. They sell a service to customers who pay.

But she can't tell us what's wrong with education either so why could she tell us where the benefit was?

It was a low low dirty messy nasty mean gesture.

That what Labour is reliant on. Ignorance from a section of the electorate. It seems they were right to do so.

Education is not a service

Anyway are we still all pretending there are "valid" or "good" or "positive financial" reasons for this policy and that it isn't just for leftist ideology? Unless you are a particularly chippy person everyone must be really disappointed that this policy is just rubbish and will end up costing money?

Are all charities also businesses?

I cringe for people who refer to politicians by their first names. It displays such ignorance of convention and (in my view) makes them look rather stupid.

Anyway. Left wing ideology is as valid as right wing ideology, generally far less damaging to society and, in this case, is a refreshing change from a government that seems to lack direction. Of course the government should tax an education system that perpetuates inequality and unfairness. I’d like to see them go further. I don’t envy people who pay for privilege. In fact in many cases I pity them for their fear and insecurity.

This is such a niche issue! The vast majority of people don't care.

If you can't afford private school any more, don't use it!

Seems fairly innocuous to me.

There's this thing called Google where you can type in 'Cognita Schools' or you can click on a link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognita, and then you could type in Alpha Plus, Outcomes First, Witherslack, Aspris, Polaris, Cambian, Bright Scholar, Access Education, Confucius International Education Group, Achieve Education and Horizon Education.

she also has to factor in the costs of all the kids that become Crack-addled, County Lines dealers, due to having to attend the local comp.

Not ignorance. I'm just sick of hearing so much about a minority tax on here. Totally disproportionate coverage given its insignificance on the grand scheme of things.

This

I suppose if so many schools are closing due to bankruptcy the LA could compulsory purchase a few. Then they could turn these disused schools into specialist and SEN schools. The LA could bring SEND schools back into local control. Rather than paying the extraordinary fees that the hedge fund run specialist currently charge.

Cringe away, Challah. Keir and Bridge don't care two hoots what you think!! Unless you are a member of a trade union in the public sector such as a train driver.

The bottom line is that it will cost money rather than raise money. It is not a revenue raiser, it's a revenue drain. At least Bridge should be honest and say "the UK is going to spend £X amount on the policy of charging VAT on education and we will have to raise taxes accordingly"

Unfortunate Bridge has not ring fenced any money raised to go into education either. As the policy will cost money (educating kids that previously were educated for free; reimbursing Eton etc re capital expenditure) things like Latin will no longer be taught and less money spent on modern languages in the state sector.

It's seems like Bridget can't do her sums...

Do you think these "disused schools" would just be there running themselves without any paying pupils? Or do you think that something that was originally got for free (from the perspective of the taxpayer) would now perhaps cost the taxpayer some money to educate the same children?

And this would be paid for, how?

Wealthy people moaning about actually paying the tax that they should do.

Quelle surprise Rodney

It's going to cost taxpayers money. And I'd quite like to know how much. We need to keep an eye on this profligate Labour government.

Lots of schools have spare classrooms etc due to falling birth rates which are being used for AP or SEN provision. Lots of LAs also run their own state SEN provision. Don't need empty private schools for that.