AIBU to reconsider a long friendship over support for education tax?

[CoconutRumcake]

A close friend of over 15 years last night unashamedly said she supported the children’s education tax. To put this in context, she is godmother to my ds and has seen first hand what damage this has done to children and families as well as her own sister losing her job when the school closed. She had maybe drank too much and has apologised over text this morning, but I really can’t shake the feeling that I don’t want to be around her.
AIBU -try and move past it
YANBU -it’s run it’s time

She must be "drunk" because she has a different opinion to you?

Wow.

Lots of countries in Europe offer tax incentives for children to go to independent school. Honestly, taxing children’s education …you couldn’t make it up. We’ve become such a backward horrible little country since Brexit

If the student lives in the catchment area, proof of address & residence, & we have room in the year group, anyone can come to the school- it's a state comprehensive, free education to all is what we do.

No she was drunk because of the bottle of Merlot

YABU for using the term 'the children’s education tax'.

There's no such thing.

It’s pointless looking at Finland with 5,500,000 people of whom 14% are aged under 14. We have 17% of our population in that age range and, very importantly, a very very long history of private schools. They are something very special in this country.

Finland might not want private schools but it’s a completely different set of circumstances. Ours have, for generations, been at the top of their game and welcome many overseas pupils. Not many of whom would choose Finland!

You want to end the friendship with someone who is a godparent, because they share an opinion with the majority of people???
Bit weird …. But OK….. She will probably be better off not having a nutter in her life.

I can see you’ve circled a bit of the policy describing taxing vocational training and education services provided to children, so you seem to be agreeing with me but the dig at my intelligence suggests you’re under the impression that you don’t?

The "children" aren't paying anything. A small minority of parents (and grandparents and family trusts and maybe some firms via relocations) paid school fees. Now they pay school fees + 20% VAT. Some can no longer afford it and some of the schools have closed, with some disruption to those childrens' education and the jobs of the staff who worked there.

Most people are not affected in the slightest by this. Some may find more competition for places at state schools.

A very very few, including the OP and OP's friend's sister may be the ones directly affected.

OP sees this as a defining cause where there is only one justifiable viewpoint and is shocked that her friend doesn't share her view. Lots of people reacted similarly to Brexit votes, supporting Trump or getting a covid jab.

Most people can accept having friends with different opinions or wouldn't class VAT on school fees as being such a high stakes opinion that has to be shared to maintain a friendship.

OP, I'd suggest getting some perspective. Your friend is still the person you chose to be your child's godparent. This isn't such a big deal. If you can't begin to try and understand your friend's view then you seem like a pretty intolerant person.

Of course I know that it’s the parents who choose the luxury of private education who pay the 20% VAT.

I fully support the government removing the tax exemption that previously meant they didn’t.

Nobody is taxing children’s education - every single child has the right to free education at a state school. If parents choose not have their child use that right, they can pay tax on the services they choose to purchase from a private business.

Why tax and make education more expensive? They didn't even choose the reduced vat rate of 5%.

University and higher education is 0% VATed as well. Just pure envy. Anyway the next gov will reduce it and scrap it.

Yes but as I keep saying, she’s not some typical ignorant tax anyone as long as it’s not me/easily manipulated politics of envy type, she’s fully aware what the policy is and its consequences (she’s seen it first hand).

Yes it’s inevitable, but all those lovely old prep school aren’t coming back though… our old one is being made into flats

You write
Of course I know that it’s the parents who choose the luxury of private education who pay the 20% VAT.
Then write
Nobody is taxing children’s education

Old one being made into what?

Flats, thanks for the edit.

?

You edited it so your comment was no longer gibberish. Not sure what the question mark is about...

I got kids in private school and my boss agrees with the tax. We haven’t fallen out over it. I can’t get upset. Of course I disagree with it, mainly cos it’s cost the government more than it’s raised. And also increased the pressure on the state system. But I’m not falling out over it with him.

'Lovely old prep' might not come back.

Pass me the tiny violin.

Yes you should get an actual tax for that attitude so that shit, de-lapidated primaries can have a none leaking roof and books.

The research polls were showing something like 80% in support of the removal of the tax breaks for private education (there's no such thing as 'the tax on children's education'

• education is free for all children in the UK)

Either you live in a very elite circle or you are going to seriously limit your friendship group if you exclude 80% of the population

I don’t think you’re fully aware of what the policy is. 😂 …. money can’t buy smarts….
You’re choosing an education from a private business, there is one available at a state school. It makes no sense they were ever tax exempt. It is not the only option.

What's sad is that most posters here (and people in general) agree with the VAT because they believe it's increasing funds available for state schools. Which isn't the case.

I disagree with lots of my friends on different issues. I wouldn't want friends who all think the same as I do

Yes you're right of course, when it’s other people’s children it is always easy to dismiss the parents concerns as long as your children or your jobs are not impacted. Hell, why do we even let parents have a choice anyway? it’s good enough for you right so I don’t see why people should have different education options. I think we can agree that giving a wide variety of education options to children will not help anyone in long run. And I’m sure those 6500 teachers will be along any day now.

Read your own link! The first paragraph states it’s a tax on private schools.
it is not a tax on education as a whole.