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.

That’s exactly the OP’s problem - she can’t afford the fees now because of the VAT so has become ‘the riff raff’ and instead if of just sucking it up and accepting it, has chosen to name it an education tax. No idea what it’s supposed to be achieving.

It's just businesses paying VAT, just use the free state education system if you don't like it.

No but well done bringing a completely unconnected issue back to being about you.

That is too generous

And we won't re-join the EU, too late, too expensive, would take years to negotiate so labour would be long gone, etc. We might have a closer relationship in future a bit like what is being proposed for Canada.

Oh god, not this again 🥱

It’s a fact. EU countries are not allowed to apply VAT to private education. But if we were to rejoin I’m sure that could be a negotiating point.

Children’s education is paid via income tax and is free at point of delivery.

So no issues there.

I thought l had Déjà vu !! Same poster and essentially the same subject - the giveaway is referring to it as a tax on education.

Yet another one in favour of a policy which they clearly don’t understand the very basics of.

The VAT position has got nothing to do with charitable status. Many schools are still charities. Charitable status was not removed.

“Presumably EU law doesn't make them charities again, just businesses which are not subject to VAT. Like books and children's clothes?”

Another comment which shows you have no clue how VAT works. VAT is levied on the goods sold, not the business as a whole. One business can sell items subject to VAT (like loo roll) and other items which are not subject to VAT (like caviar).

You may need to brush up on VAT laws before you make comments like this. VAT has got nothing to do with whether an item is viewed as a luxury.

OP what was the point of the name change when you’re using the same phrasing as in your last thread - specifically ‘taxing childrens’ education’ - and continuing to omit the word ‘private’ ?

Yes. The posting style is the same. She name changes every time doesn't she?

In answer to the OP - no, it wouldn't bother me.

For the uninitiated

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5585039-aibu-to-reconsider-a-long-friendship-over-support-for-education-tax?page=1

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5536172-allow-a-play-date-where-mum-unapologetically-supports-childrens-education-tax

OP seems rather quiet this time compared to her last thread 👀

There would be no carve outs on taxing children’s education, education is one of the EU core freedoms. Don’t forget there are several current members and proposed members who had their education choices completely removed by successive authoritarian socialist governments.
Is not taxing children’s education something you could learn to live with to join the EU or is it a deal breaker?

Please stop with the "taxing children's education"

You are talking about taxing private education (which will affect a small percentage of the 7% of children who are privately educated), not all children's education.

I have no skin in the game but you are becoming really tiresome about this.

The fact that you doggedly refuse to let this go make me wonder if you are struggling with neurodiversity or your mental health.

State education provides the right to education

Nobody is taking away your choice to pay fees.

Children's education is free in the UK

if you want private schools, pay up or shut up

give it a flipping rest

Not every country in the EU uses the Euro.

OP is correct. Although member states can choose their vat rates they cannot unilaterally decide which good or services are subject to vat (if they could they could remove vat on particular goods as a means of getting round state aid laws, which would undermine the single market).

I couldn’t care less about it either way and see it as a tiny issue of almost no importance compared to the great importance of rejoining.

Not every country in the EU uses the Euro.

No but all new member states have to commit to adopting the euro. It wouldn’t have to be immediately though and it may be an area for negotiation.

The irony is that at 10+ of being out of the EU, the upcoming generation(s) that will shoulder the bulk of the decision may be more prepared to jettison the pound (which they may feel has done fuck all for them) that the generation(s) that took us out.

(In the same way that the under-40s may find themselves saying "What did the Tories ever do for us ?")

Children’s education is not taxed. hTh

More concerned about losing Sterling for the Euro TBH.

I’m not really bothered. It’s only a small percentage of children that attend private schools. If the removal of the VAT exemption has caused that percentage to go down slightly, that really isn’t up there on my list of concerns.
I feel private education gives another unfair advantage to the rich (and yes, you absolutely are rich if you have money to spend on private fees; people who say they aren’t wealthy, just hard working are not aware of the realities of UK life).
I will be very happy to have a few more students join the state school system which is currently experiencing falling rolls due to the birth rate (same as private schools). It might be great for everyone.
It just wouldn’t even be on my radar when it came to issues about rejoining the EU (which I would like to see).