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?

Yes do, and make sure you quote the whole conversation.

I don’t see that it is wrong and deserve to be attacked, do you?

@CreateUserNames how have I attacked you? I've stated sending your children to private school is a privilege. And asked how you don't understand that. Why does this small group of already privileged people think they also deserve vat exemption for a service they are purchasing.

It is education and parents have already been taxed for education. Why people think they “deserve” to be taxed again is mean spirited. It is also mean spirited to indicate private school children have it all easy without working hard because their parents just bought it.

If people are kinder, then I wouldn’t mind to be taxed again. However, the general consensus and comments make me feel like trying to save a dying wolf, not only care and contribute, but will also be eaten once the wolf is healed!

@Cookieland you do realise that many people squander rather than save?

If PS are failing maybe they just aren’t a good business model. There are clearly people who could afford it and choose not to use it, why?
They need to be attracting them not the people who can barely afford it.

For instance I met someone who pulled their DD out of the main PS where I live because she was dyslexic and the school were no help. He moved her to a local state school where she did get the help she needed.

Maybe the government can set up a loan service similar to student loans so you can pay it back over time.

I would absolutely agree that people earning over £150 per year should be charged at a higher tax rate. This would affect more Tory voters than Labour voters though so I'm surprised that you would want this.

You’re the one who seems to be bitter and jealous and since when did you start to police what threads people click on. Sometimes I just click for entertainment. If you read the title before the full post it appears to be for people who agree with the VAT. I just answered the OP’s question because nobody I know even talks about this. It doesn’t affect us so we don’t care.

Why presume they squander? Maybe they can't save?

She was just countering the argument that private schools are full of children with parents on average incomes who can only afford to send them through the huge sacrifice of having only 2 holidays per year and non-luxury cars.

You are just bloody unbelievable!! So now people who can’t afford to send their kids to private school squander their money!

a very snobbish point of view is that poor people never buy anything nice for themselves! Because you know the peasants aren’t allowed anything nice….EVER.

people like you are the reason my kid goes to state and not private!

Honestly you are not some bloody martyr for having the money to send your kids to private school!

@geeenuoe "@CurlewKate but the violence and large classes and disruptive children ARE more common in state schools? It’s not that middle class children DON’T behave like that, it’s that there’s less of them and it’s clamped down on faster and more harshly. These are just facts, as I am sure you know."

So now you are suggesting that there are no middle class children in state schools? I feel as if I'm in some sort of alternative universe!

Bar getting a scholarship, if you are sending your kid(s) to private school you have discretionary spending of at least £20k - that's after mortgage, bills, food, etc. That's more than some people earn in a year. It's really hard to read these absolutely tone deaf moans from people complaining that their diamond shoes are too tight. 93% of children don't go to independent schools, yet somehow manage to learn well, do extra curricular activities, get well supported, make friends, enjoy themselves, and get good grades. The vast majority of them turn out perfectly well.

@CurlewKate of course I am aware of that. But that fact doesn’t lessen it being any less of a sacrifice for someone with just enough for fees, to choose to do so. A sacrifice is literally giving up something of value for other considerations. That’s what is happening to many many parents with their children in private. You might not like that fact, but it is true. Vat doesn’t punish the mega wealthy and nor will it fix your state system.

@CurlewKate i am sure there are plenty of middle class children in state schools. They’re the ones not paying fees but buying into good catchment areas… that they now want us to subsidise with vat.

Your arguments are so poor and divisive. You counter every thoughtful argument from people who disagree with you by accusing them of jealousy, the politics of 'envy' and not putting their children first.

It seems beyond your comprehension that some parents make an active choice to send their children to state schools, even if they could afford to go private.

In effect, you are accusing the majority of parents in the UK who could never afford to send their children to private school of 'not putting their children first'.

You think you have the moral high ground, but every post shows your lack of empathy for families and children in difficult economic circumstances. You mock the suggestion that more affluent children and families moving their children to state schools could help improve schools by their engagement with the school as the idea of doing something to help others and not just your own family or families like yours is abhorrent to you.

@chickennoodless no, not for having it. But for giving it up and living on the breadline to give them a decent education, is commendable. And I am in awe of every parent who does it in those circumstances.

@thepariscrimefiles i understand many people choose state over private even where they can afford it. But that’s exactly my point… they still want those paying for education to subsidise them. Those people will have very nice homes and nice cars … the list goes on. Because they have elected not to put money into education. If they were so caring about the masses do you not think they would be making the equivalent donation to their state school? They buy a good home in a good catchment and have you believing that’s for the greater good. Wake up a little.

The breadline? 😂

@chickennoodless I said ‘some.’

I can’t post on this thread any more, it’s making me loose faith in humanity.

What I will leave is this, I like facts and figures not hearsay about people are not saving hard enough, that people who use free meals aren’t good parents. These are all opinions rightly or wrongly.

I hope that some people will read this and adjust their lens on life.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-11894303/amp/Where-does-income-Britains-earners.html

I'm not rampantly pro this VAT but at the same time I suppose I don't have much sympathy either. There are plenty of people living in deprivation, struggling to pay the bills. If you can't afford private schools then you join the vast majority of the country who can't afford them either.

Why is she evil spirited? She said that she hoped that you are never in the situation that she is in and that you appreciate your good fortune by occasionally helping those less fortunate than yourself.

The idea of doing something to help others with no tangible benefit to yourself is obviously alien to you.

@geeenuoe You show me private school parents living on the breadline in one damp room only eating one meal a day so they can feed their children and.....I was going to say I would have sympathy-but actually I wouldn't because it would be such a stupid, destructive decision.