As on the original thread, there are a lot of posters who either misunderstand or plain misrepresent the views of those who oppose VAT. In the genuine hope of informing the debate, I've copied a post by @catsruletheworldforever which expresses how I think many of us feel (but puts it more eloquently than I ever could):
"My children do not go to private school and I am strongly against this policy. I am confident that it will make zero difference to the quality of state school provision, which in many instances is of good quality.
I am against VAT on the provision of education. Education is for the benefit of all society. The EU does not charge VAT on education, as their policy of fiscal neutrality prohibits treating similar services differently for VAT purposes.
i am against economic policy causing children unnecessary distress for zero gain.
Why was this policy brought in, in the middle of an academic year? Vindictive and outrageous to target children in this way. Other major taxation changes, are given plenty of notice so that organisations can bring in the changes.
i am against groups being pitted against each other by government. It’s a smokescreen well used by the powerful. Pit the plebs against each other and they won’t pay as much attention to the woeful job government is doing. The inadequate funding of state education is entirely the responsibility of our government. It is not the responsibility of parents who for various reasons have decided to pay for educating their own children. I see no good reason, why fee paying parents should be punitively taxed by the state when, they are actually assisting the state - by reducing the burden on the overall tax payer.
i am for transparency in government, rather than being spoken to in soundbites as if I had limited capacity to understand.
I would have appreciated a proper analysis of core areas that required further funding and realistic proposals about how this could be funded. It will take billions to sort out SEN provision, but I have heard nothing about this. This government is pretending to do something BIG with this policy to hide, that they are doing virtually nothing.
i am for taxing areas of life that have a negative impact on society, such as gambling. Why is there no VAT on gambling?
Our country is poorer in the aftermath of Brexit and this is projected to continue. We need radical ideas about how to either raise more money (increase income tax? Historically this was not considered radical). Or radical ideas on how to cut the costs of government? Less provided by NHS? Incentivise parents to use private school?! Obviously Labour would not do the latter, but many countries do, in recognition that it lessens the burden on the state.
in general I am in support of the state funding less, individuals who can and business funding more - within reason. I therefore cannot understand putting VAT on education for the first time. A policy that uses economic levers to actively push tax payers who had chosen to fund their own child’s education back into state education, where the government has to fund it. Where everyone else has to fund it! Total nonsense."