Election - how soon for VAT on school fees?

[Labtastic]

So I see we're likely to have an election in early July. Obviously that spells the end of the godawful tories which is great, but also hastens the incoming VAT on school fees which, for us, is bad. We are one of those families that no one believes exists who stretch ourselves with school fees, and are going to be very pushed for an extra 20%.

Question is - do we think Labour can make this happen in time for September? It'll be our DC's last year of fee paid education and was hoping the timeline for VAT coming in would be stretched out a bit...

This is only able to happen because of Brexit - the EU doesn't allow VAT on education so we're only free to do this because we've left

Crabs in the bucket…

ASAP hopefully.

ouch that envy is chewing you up!

Keir Starmer said in an interview that he has no plans to diverge from EU law, so it’ll be interesting how he upholds that view whilst taxing education.

‘They are also looking at their fee structure and more info will follow before Sept 2024’

If I was at the mercy of a company who put their fees/ charges up year on year in year, then decided to use the VAT change to slam in some more - I’d probably stop using their services.

Can you elaborate on why?

I'd love everyone to walk out of private schools and pop along to the closest state school. Would piss myself trying to watch keir cope with that. None of the VAT coming in and the extra burden on education. Don't disagree with a fairer education system but a more transitional policy would be preferable. Also don't see why I should pay tax to fund religious schools that my children are eligible to go to.

Yes because parents driving their children to different schools everyday would solve everything.

*arent

Not from me- I went to private school, my parents could afford it.
I can’t afford it for my children- that’s life. Things cost- and school fees should be costed correctly with vat

Let me get my teeny tiny violin out 🎻

Yes - the faith schools thing is actually mind boggling. You can be surrounded by church schools you can't attend, despite them being funded by the state - very fair!

I have two sons at NMI sen schools as there's not enough state places, so vat will be passed back onto tax payers and the LA as its all LA funded.

Or they will fold and my son won't be able to access education and end up in supported living paid for by the state.

I wish we knew more but as of year ago school was suggesting they would fold which would be a really shame. There's mo way the LA could aquire land to build more state SEN schools. They should have never needed to rely so heavily on NMIs but that's modern life and not planning ahead.

It's not about sticking it to the rich. It's about being very clear that fee paying schools are businesses and not charities, so they should be treated like businesses and mot charities.
What's unreasonable about that?

Thanks for your input 👍

🥱 indeed. For the full bingo card don’t forget ‘politics of envy’ ‘strivers’ ‘nurses children in our school’ ‘ SEND’ ‘half the school are on bursaries’ ‘ double taxation’ ‘ only sink schools where we live’ ‘ little Charlotte is gifted/special’ ‘ state schools will be OVERRUN’ …

This 100 times over, in spades and with bells on!

The VAT position has nothing to do with charitable status. Labour have confirmed they’re not changing the charitable status position.

It's not about sticking it to the rich. It's about being very clear that fee paying schools are businesses and not charities, so they should be treated like businesses and mot charities.
What's unreasonable about that?

The thing is, they literally are charities, for the most part. You might disagree with whether their activities are charitable or not, but the fact is they are charities. They aren't allowed to make a profit so aren't really businesses in the normal sense

We are one of those families that no one believes exists who stretch ourselves with school fees, and are going to be very pushed for an extra 20%.

How much are your fees? The ones near me are 20k on average, I do find it odd that people can stretch to that but not an additional 15% ( I think you said your school would likely add that). Plus private schools tend to increase their fees every year so people I assume find the spare money for that?

Like I said not envious, I went to private school

If state schools are already at capacity or close to capacity, where do you think all the additional children who need a space will go..so of course it will put additional strain on capacity of state schools

Do you think the additional money from Vat us going to cover the costs to bring state school up to par?

Nothing 🥱 about that

state schools will be OVERRUN’ …

This is definitely untrue as school numbers are falling due to birth rates.

They are not changing charitable status. They’ve confirmed this. Labour’s VAT proposals have nothing to do with charitable status. Around 50% of private schools don’t have charitable status.