To think a lot of people who agree with VAT on school fees…

[geeenuoe]

Actually don’t truly understand that to most sending their kids to these schools, it is a massive, massive struggle already.

There seems to be a mentality that if you can afford 20k a year then you’re already comfortable so sod it, you should find more cash now for vat … but do people in general not understand that some families re mortgage their homes to pay these fees? Yes there’s mega wealthy people but there’s many, many more who are not.

On the one hand we hear a good education is a luxury so VAT must be applied, then on the other we are told a good education is a right for all. So… why are we taking away that good education from those who already have it? Why is the focus not on sorting out the state sector properly? We all know the vat won’t fix the state sector. It may help in a tiny way in ad hoc circumstances but there’s so so so much more that needs to be done to state schools to make them ever match what the private sector offers.

I simply don’t get this mentality that those making sacrifices must make more when it comes to bloody education. I say this as someone who can’t afford the fees but if I could I absolutely would… and I also acknowledge that I am unwilling to go to some lengths that others will to pay it. I respect the choice of others to make such sacrifices and have no desire to make it harder and more inaccessible for the masses to access it. Similarly, I know plenty of people driving fancy cars and spending loads on holidays… they’ve chosen that over school fees. And those who have spend loads getting into a postcode of a decent state school… should they be paying enhanced tax on their house purchase?

Why do most people think those who pay schools fees are doing so with great ease? Is it basically because they don’t personally know people paying this so accept the media narrative that it’s the mega rich only?

@BleachedJumper no I don’t think that at all. But trying to make the state sector better by pulling other kids out of a good education doesn’t make sense does it? A bit of vat on school fees won’t change the state sector. That’s the problem.

do you realise that circa 30k after tax is still a huge amount of money to someone earning 80-100k a year? Can you not see that is a massive stretch?

Yes, but it’s not a necessary stretch, is it? Our household income is over £150k a year and we won’t be sending our children to private school because we don’t feel it is affordable, VAT or otherwise. You won’t hear me crying about it because I know we are extremely fortunate. Many people don’t earn £30k a year before tax. Get some perspective.

Private school is a choice. There are state schools and pay for tutors if you want them to have an 'edge'.

I really don't give a toss if people can only afford 1 holiday a year because of it. Give up the holiday full stop.

So don't pay it??
I really don't get all the drama about this, if you can't afford it, then you can't have it.

No, it’s top 5% almost without exception. If you’ve decided to send your kids to private school, then you need to save up for it. You absolutely don’t pay out of your earnings that year. And most such people have trust funds.

The solution is simple to people who are stretched - set up a trust fund for your kids, pay as much money as you can afford into that and send them to state school. When they are 18, they’ll have £150K in a bank account.

I like the idea of abolishing fee paying education then maybe there would be a vested interest in raising standards for all. See Finland for details.

This is so painfully tone deaf.

No they don’t because most of them are so far up their own arses with jealousy they cant think straight.

A lot of the children at my child’s school are either on bursaries or have parents that have two, three jobs to make ends meet.

Then there are parents like me. I couldn’t give a toss if you put another 20k/30k on school fees. I can afford it. The new laws are not punishing the people they intended to punish.

Agreed.

While those parents are giving their money to private schools, they’re depriving their local school of their support, which impacts on all those 90-95% families who could not even dream of affording private education. Furthermore, I don’t think most of these people are paying for a better education- they’re paying for social connections for their kids.

This thread is so tone deaf...I just can't even begin. Not sure whether to laugh or be horrified with the op.

I agree that sorting out the state education sector should be the priority before adding more children to it from the fee paying sector. The system isn't ready for more kids.

Awe diddums. Whilst you moan about struggling to pay fees you choose to pay other people struggle to eat and keep their families warm.

Less Netflix and latte macchiatos?

@MrsSchrute its drama because the vat is literally causing some children to stop receiving a good education. Apparently in the name of making the state sector better… which it won’t? The focus isn’t on making state better, if it was, then many other policies would be in place. I genuinely think it’s really sad if people are hoping their kids schools are going to change following vat. Wake up a bit. The state sector needs so much work. I will do all I can to send dd private for secondary and if I can’t I certainly won’t be hoping those who can are finding it even harder to pay for.

Absolutely this.

OP, save your breath.

People don’t care.

Until their kids’ class sizes increase and more of the already over-stretched resources get spread even thinner dealing with the high numbers of children who come from indies with SEN.

They think their kids are too good for the state system. So of course they should pay the full cost. If you buy a luxury then you pay VAT.
I've never known anyone financially struggling while sending their kids to private school. If that's the case then they can't afford it and should spend their money more sensibly.

Private education is a choice. If someone is stretching themselves to afford it, that's on them. It's not an entitlement.

The same reason that suddenly all pensioners are multi millionaires that live in 5 bedroom houses and go on 4 holidays per year. And the impact assessment that showed thousands would die if the WFA is withdrawn is suddenly not a thing)

Because it suits their narrative and leveling down (it’s not fair, I want what they’ve got - give it to me - I work just as hard - i deserve it) is the Labour ideology.

If they gave up the couple of holidays a year, they could probably afford the additional 20% VAT.

There are so many threads about this that one would assume that these well off but not super wealthy private school parents are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. They really aren't.

It is perfectly possible to get a good education in the state sector. It is also possible to get a bad education at a fee paying school.
Expensive does not always equal better.

@AlertCat depriving of what support? Nobody is going to donate thousands to a state school they’ve been forced to send their child to after leaving the private sector?

Finland do have private schools. They also have far higher taxes for lower earning people than we do in the UK. Think removal of tax free personal allowance for all and you’d be close. They tax higher earners less than we do in the UK. Still happy to replicate their model?

How many more times….
Private education is a luxury and a choice
(not a right) and therefore should attract VAT.

I did send my children to a private school for a few years. They actually got a better education in the state sector and yes I am a teacher who has worked in both sectors so I do know what I am talking about.