Business rates on private schools

[liverpudcounsel]

Lots of threads on VAT on private schools, which I don’t have a strong opinion on.

I have not seen much information or views on business rates, which has come up on the budget today; new legislation to remove their business rates relief from April 2025 which means loss of charitable status for private schools.

Anyone know much more specifically about this? Just curious. Along with the employer VAT increases, and VAT on fees is this budget going to blow a hole in the finances of these schools?

Well, that's a step along from 'Indy'. **

Stop being supercilious

And I've yet to hear 1 argument in support of VAT that isn't based on misinformation, sweeping stereotypes, lies and prejudice.

I think you must be getting confused about your own posts and forgetting what you have posted, even though my response quoted your original post. You said If you choose to use private anything, because you want what you perceive as a better service, then you don't generally also get to opt out of paying tax.

I am pointing out that many “businesses” don’t have to charge VAT. Many “businesses” are also paying reduced business rates.

If you look at many (non VAT or business rates) threads discussing independent schools (e.g. discussion of entry requirements), they are often referred to as indies. Does that bother you or is it only in relation to the tax issues?

Cannot compete with you in that area. 😬

Sure. 🫣

Well that's a more gracious response than some posters. 👍

Is that all you can come back with? What do you think the emojis are adding to your arguments?

Private or Independent will suffice, Indy makes me think of music.

Sure. 🫣

What is your actual argument, other than to suggest someone is saying something they didn't?

The difference is I don't look down on anyone else because I don't think I'm superior. I am knowledgeable in this area because I have skin in the game and challenging people who post misinformation isn't being superior.

I'm sorry you feel inferior to me, but that is your insecurity, nothing to do with me. I don't care enough to purposely make you feel inferior.

The original post and your response are set out below. You were responding to a post that mentioned VAT!

twistyizzy · Today 08:55
Again, indy schools are already taxed and pay VAT. This is a tax on parents
Show quote history

No, this is the business no longer receiving any special treatment regarding taxation. The parents are not being taxed, they're simply having to pay increased fees as a result of the businesses having increased costs. 🫣

I'm not looking down on anyone either.
Despite having polar opposite views on this topic, and definitely detecting your assumed air of superiority (and no, I don't feel remotely inferior), I wish you and your family well - we're all people behind usernames and nobody knows what others might be dealing with. 😬
On that note I'll leave you all to what's becoming a little echo chamber. 😵‍💫

I'm not sure what you think you're adding to this thread?

Is there a legal challenge happening as to how all of this is incompatible with the spirit of charitable status?

I am aware how hard it is to get an EHCP.

A previous poster talked about working in an independent SEN school where all the children have EHCP’s. I am referring to independent schools where you have to have an EHCP to be admitted. Those schools will be just fine as the LA is paying the fees anyway.

Why are you being so rude to people? It really isn’t adding anything to your arguments.

@twistyizzy I have SEN children, you don’t. Don’t pretend you know the first thing about these children when you are simply using them as an excuse to justify the privilege of private education.

where 85% are ultimately successful

The number of SENDIST appeals upheld is actually higher than that. It is a disgrace but will continue while LAs are allowed to act with significant impunity. It is why parents should always appeal. The vast majority are success.

It is not really the LAs fault though that Central Government is not fully funding for children’s needs? If they have to choose between allocating for children with SEND vs vulnerable old people what exactly are they meant to do? All SEND funding should come from a Central Government pot full stop! Whatever is needed based on need. Schools should not be self funding anything either.

As an ex-teacher still working in the sector plus friends with SEN kids I do have some insight thanks. I am also very aware of the stats and data

The difficulties with EHCPs go far beyond a lack of funding. The lack of funding does not excuse the disdain many parents of disabled children receive. Nor the lies, unlawfulness, malicious FII/PP allegations…

And LAs manage to spend large sums of money defending indefensible cases against unrepresented parents. If the general public knew the amounts wasted like this they would be shocked. For example, my LA paid a barrister to turn up (late) on the morning of a hearing and concede. It isn’t the only time I have known that to happen.

You keep saying you know the stats but you obviously don’t because more than 25,000 pupils in independent SS (which is what the pp said ‘private SEN schools) have EHCPs. I linked to the government statistics in a pp.