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

You see privilege, I see hard work and determination

What about them? Other than not making a profit, what else can the schools do? teachers need paying and electricity ? I’d suggest independent school children get allocated some of the £8.5k government funding the state school children get or tax relief as they do in Spain or Italy. But Jesus, it’s called a tax loophole when they don’t get anything at all from the Government but can you imagine the uproar if the kids actually got some state funding!?!

I don’t know why you think a 20% tax will do anything other than make it less accessible.

The people I was surrounded with did ‘charity’ work but were totally oblivious to the lived experience of most people. I spent several years in those circles and also mix in other circles. My views are based on my experience and direct observation.

Of course. The poor just lack determination and don’t work hard enough. 🙄

Ha! As if the rest of us aren't hard working and determined. That that's all you need to get a household income of £240,000. Intergenerational privilege is a thing.

She's been asked several times how she's going to deal with the friendship she no longer wants and she hasn't answered.

So, why not just acknowledge that you are only talking about private education instead of hiding behind the same link that you have posted several times?

And skill

Not everyone is hard working and determined, very far from it.
I know a lot of people who grew up in poverty and now earn 100k+++

Of course you do, because you've fallen prey to the myth of meritocracy.
No one's denying the hard work or determination of the OP,
But denying the privilege that also exists is insanely ignorant.

Or.....and do bear with me.......'VAT' as it's usually known.

please can you clarify what else is taxed for 5-18 education other than private school fees?

I believe you but are you willing to acknowledge that other experiences also exist?
Families also exist with average or below average incomes who put their children in private schools for various reasons. Schools exist that charge fees far lower than the national average for private school fees and are run as true charities with an aim to be accessible to as many families as possible.

And now it’s more elite and state hasn’t improved at all.

I acknowledge it’s a tax on non government funded education and vocational training provided to children between 5 and 18. I have written that countless times and provided a link to exactly what the policy covers. I don’t really know what you want from me at this point?

Ah, so it’s fine if others can’t afford it but a problem as soon as you can’t.

OP you’ve won no friends on this thread and shown your true colours.

Thankfully there’s only a few posts until the thread is full and then you’ll have to invent a new story to try and bang your selfish drum.

My DH makes 6 figures all on his own. Definitely worked so hard from nothing.

This household just has 2 very dedicated hard working members who both decided to focus on careers.

We sent out kids to grammar but don't have any eny to private school kids. Good on them.

The UK is a meritocracy

For your “friends” sake, hopefully she doesn’t have to listen to your self absorbed, entitled waffling in future. All this bollocks about education? Bring me a hanky.

Send your kid to the local comp or pay up for posh school; you have choice.

I hope your “friend” finds more worthwhile people to spend time with in future.

You’re barking mad.

...and where do you think that 'skill' comes from?
... access to resourses and training, which are...
only accessible because of opportunity that comes with a certain level of privilege...

Jesus christ

You've said that your kids are settled now at a state school and you plan to move for secondary. So, seriously, why have you spent the whole day arguing on mumsnet and deciding to cut a friend who you knew well enough to be a godparent to your child, out of your life?

So, by implication people who aren't on 6 figures don't work hard enough or focus on their careers?

Show me how the maths would work with that. Average salary is around £39K and the average yearly school fees are around £22K.

There was not one single family in our private school that I would call disadvantaged or low income. In fact we were the ones with the least and I’d call us comfortable and middle class.

Private education is beyond most people’s means. Fact.

Some of it is innate ability.

Some of it is obviously due to hard work and practice and cultivating your knowledge.

You can learn so much online for free these days.