Would Labour voters be upset if joining the EU meant they could no longer tax children’s education?

[Blarneyspoco]

Taxing children’s education is banned as part of EU membership. If the U.K. rejoined the EU, would Labour supporters be upset that they can no longer levy the tax or would it be seen as a necessary compromise.

No I didn't, it's a valid point but I was explaining that your option would only be accessible to wealthier people, some people might not have the choice.

Well yes delighted grammar parents link to the earlier pp on the effect of no extra money for state but some using money to access good state instead.

It wasn’t an option. Paying private school fees is the equivalent of renting in an area with good schools because both instances mean you never see your money again. If you buy a house you get it back.

Wrong about what? You still haven’t answered the question of why people want to tax children’s education so how can I judge if I’m wrong ? Wouldn’t it be easier just to write down why you think it’s a good idea and discuss the policy rather than attacking me personally?

The tax applies to all children but yes it is affecting only 560k children this year.

You still haven’t answered the question of why people want to tax children’s education so how can I judge if I’m wrong ? Wouldn’t it be easier just to write down why

You still haven’t answered the question of why people want to tax SOME children’s education so how can I judge if I’m wrong ? Wouldn’t it be easier just to write down why. I have rephrased this for you.

I don't know the answer. I don't care if PRIVATE education is taxed or not. I have no skin in the game.

The tax applies to all children

It doesn't.

😂

The tax applies to the parents of approximately 7% of children. And it’s voluntary.

I didn’t think you really knew the answer, that’s my point really. Nobody can provide an answer to why removing the tax exemption on children’s education was a good idea, but they certainly get pissed off with being asked the question.

Yes, we'll rejoin but not rejoin basically and I'm all for that. As for the 'education tax'😂

The tax applies to all children

This is beyond idiotic - it’s like saying the 45p rate of income tax applies to all workers.

Ah ha ha ha ha. Yes, lady, stick that in your pipe and smoke it.😂

Yes you are right about the rent. Most people want to be on the housing ladder if they possibly can because getting a mortgage paid off by retirement age is the only sensible way to have a non-poverty-level retirement so I'm not sure how many people would rent in an expensive-catchment area rather than buying in an affordable area. I was particularly focusing on the part that spending the money on mortgage rather than school fees gives you a fungible asset, but there's an income level at which that's not feasible whilst living in a cheaper area and saving up is feasible. I don't know enough about relative rental costs in the areas where I researched house prices but I think this might be too much of a diversion from the main thrust of this thread.

It applies to all children receiving ‘education or vocational training between the ages of 5 and 18’. Yes it affects 7% of British children, 560k. Is it the 7% that makes it a good idea? At what percentage of children would taxing their education become a stupid thing to do ? 10%?

No. The tax does not apply to all children. It applies to all children in private education. You keep omitting the word in the hope that it will change the narrative. It doesn’t. Every child in the country is entitled to a free education. Private education is a choice, and if you make that choice you have to roll with the punches. Private schools are now subject to VAT and they are choosing to pass the cost of that on to parents.

Some private schools have closed. Some parents can’t afford the increase and have had to take their children out of private eduction. But those children will still have an education free at the point of delivery and paid for from general taxation.

We’re talking about VAT that is payable on goods and services. To call it a tax on childrens’ education is nonsense.

It VAT on education and vocational training provided to children, I agree it’s nonsense but that’s what it is,

And once again you’re in complete denial. The introduction of VAT on private education doesn’t mean those children won’t get an education at all. If their parents can’t afford the increased fees then the state will provide.

What's the point of this tax? It raises barely nothing and just hurts educational choice and people's aspirations. Why actively make a good thing (education) more expensive. It's not like tobacco or alcohol which is bad. It's an actual benefit to the world.

Because state hasn’t benefited. Apparently Starmer / Reeves and Phillipson knew it wouldn’t but that wasn’t the point of the pointless tax that very few countries impose.

It’s a punitive tax on education and on families with children.

When did I say they wouldn’t get any education at all? I’m simply asking the rational behind it, what’s the motivation?

I didn’t say the tax itself it was nonsense. I don’t agree it’s nonsense. For what it’s worth l don’t care what they do in the EU either. I have no problem stating clearly that l’m in favour of the change. Private education is a service. Private schools are businesses charging for that service. VAT is applicable.

Like the vast majority of the world DOES NOT levy a sales tax on private education fees. Like what's the point. I think VAT and taxes are too high here anyway

Even when the ‘business’ is providing children’s education at cost and no profit? Is there something about these particular groups of children or the fact it’s not government funded organisation providing the education that means we put up challenges to their education choice?

It applies to all children receiving ‘education or vocational training between the ages of 5 and 18’. Yes it affects 7% of British children, 560k

Can you not see the contradiction in this sentence?

"There are none so blind as those who will not see"