To say I am fucking elated that this bunch of charlatans are on there way out

[Doyouhonestlyexpectmetobelieve]

My God I hated Thatcjer and all she stood for .. but at least I think she was honourable in her beliefs even if they were not mine .. but THIS LOT .. from BOJO onwards what a bunch of grifters ..

And before anyone says 'they are all the same ' .. I really don't think so ... At least in the 'lining their own pockets ' agenda .. AIBU to think this ?

Can you post the link?

Politicians are all the same - in it for the ego boost and to feather their own nest/get away with as much rule-breaking as they can (one rule for the masses, one for them). There is not one of them that I feel I want to vote for - I wouldn't trust any of them and since Covid my contempt has increased tenfold. This goes for both main political parties (anyone know if Starmer can actually speak? Things that he should be challenging Rich Man Rishi on, you don't hear a squeak, just a mild bleating). Oh, and did I mention that they all promise much, but deliver little?

Look at the crap we've had over the past few years - Barmy 'Alley cat' Boris, Doris Johnson (aka Truss - very apt name), Rishi Sunak (he of the vast wealth, but can't find a pair of trousers that fit him properly). And then we have had Corbyn and Starmer...well, we're certainly spoilt for choice. None of them impress me as being in the slightest way trustworthy, in fact quite the opposite, and I'm scratching my head as to who I would vote for come General Election time.

No wonder most people are feeling total apathy towards all political parties. Bets on lowest turnout ever, anyone?

Yep will do when I have time

https://www.edsk.org/publications/obstacles-to-adding-vat-to-independent-school-fees/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3XADekWGSiASDd3WAkBR1IjCBCk9P912-Rca0L9xXAGJq2gi5nq_sB9b8_aem_AVvva5f4Bxzs_-bHfQCv6DjMXqTTPaXBatfcdRvhv3yrPORCeodstlTOvVgYXpYJOPuenlcwi00ivufyLZDR9yMI

I can't link to the ASI reports but you can Google it

Politicians are all the same - in it for the ego boost and to feather their own nest/get away with as much rule-breaking as they can (one rule for the masses, one for them).

Imagine if you swapped the word "politicians" in your first line for anything else - doctors, teachers, the French, Asians.

https://www.adamsmith.org/research

The admission from the author of the IFS report came out in a meeting a few weeks ago between various sides of the VAT argument.
There is a serious issue about the 95000 DC with SEN in private schools because they have been failed by the state sector/military families etc.

I think the assertion that all MPs are the same, whilst being an easy generalisation, is short on critical thought. I have met hundreds of MPs during my career and it simply isn't true. Of course there are avaricious ego maniacs only interested in their own personal benefit (as personified in technicolour by Boris Johnson) and there are many who are lazy or stupid and reliant on stereotypes and tropes to drive their opinions - just like this generalisation about them. They are afterall representative of our society for good and bad.

But there are also many many backbench MPs who work diligently on behalf of their constituents trying to help them with their issues with housing, benefits, social services, schools, immigration etc - you name it. They can be found in all the political parties. They champion causes like the Post Office injustice and the infected blood scandal for years on end - for no personal benefit but because it's right. And they face criminal online abuse and threats to their safety (and actual violence and murder). I admire anyone who is willing to put up with the shocking nastiness of public life. It takes huge commitment. And they have to put up with these silly uninformed generalisations. The reality is we are struggling to get many quality people to volunteer to stand for election and we are poorer as a society for it.

Thanks for those links. I have read the EDSK one which is very balanced and not alarming. Will keep the Tufton Street ASI for another time

Here are some tips for schools

https://www.mha.co.uk/insights/labours-policy-on-placing-vat-on-private-school-fees

Note it mentions

Specialist provision would remain exempt from VAT, in particular fees for pupils with education, health, and care plans.

@Bouledeneige indeed- I gave even met a Tory MP once at the HOC for 'a do' and had a very interesting chat about Farage ( who he loathed)

I had a very good chat too with Darren Jones (Labour) on our doorstep the year he was elected- worked really hard for that vote and seemed a very nice intelligent and thoughtful guy.

@DuncinToffee which is exactly what I would have predicted- and is fair

This is quite long but you are incorrect on Brexit line - I voted remain

I was probably one of the biggest believers in remain at the time tbh and couldn’t believe the vote and Cameron sauntering off

Although I think on trafficking we have a huge rising issue impacting EU, US and U.K., Aus is more ok. So I see it as a different question and issue which will strain politics over time. Not just here but EU too

Most DC in private schools don't have an EHCP though. That exemption will lead to those parents then clogging up an already stretched to capacity state process in order to get EHCPs. Private parents are usually the ones to be able to afford private routes in order to speed up the EHCP .
DD has 2 SEN kids in her class (not with EHCP) and their parents pay for 1-2-1 support in each lesson. They were taken out of state because of the long waiting time for EHCP. So they, and others like them, won't get exemptions.
The IFS figure of 1.5 billion doesn't take into account SEN exemptions or the fact that current SEN DC will now be rushed through for EHCP in order to exempt them.
If, as a very extreme example, all 95000 private kids get an EHCP then that's 95000 lots of VAT not being claimed and the figure reduces even further than 0.8-1 billion.

Where is this 95000 figure coming from? Is someone suggesting 1 in 7 children in private education have SEND? And even might qualify for an EHCP?

Private school themselves can make exemptions for SEN pupils, it's not a given that they would't.

Is it even possible for private school pupils to be rushed through the EHCP process?

Especially when you mention the long waiting time as a reson for going private.

That was the figure given in the House of Commons during a debate.

They can rush through the supporting assessments that go as evidence

Well yes it is because it isn't up to the school who pays VAT and who doesn't. They can't choose to exempt certain people of their own accord.

Then they could have done so before. Same as with buying in catchment.

It's not done as a favour to state school pupils.

Who by?

They are not forced to pass on the costs to parents, they have other options to absorp the cost.

And yes ofcourse they could exempt SEN pupils from increasing school fees

Yes they can prevent charging fee rises but they can't exempt VAT. It will have legal definitions of who can be exempt and they will be audited.

Any sector hit by a 20% tax would see an impact.

It would be passed on to the customer or payer, staff would be let go and some businesses would fold altogether.

It’s only because people don’t mind it happening to dc (especially someone else’s, and this sector) that this impact gets overlooked

Private education is a luxury.

Unlike eating and heating.

I understand that nobody wants to pay extra but private schools and parents have options.

Children are going hungry.

https://www.jrf.org.uk/uk-poverty-2024-the-essential-guide-to-understanding-poverty-in-the-uk