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?

People without children pay tax towards education because we all benefit from an educated workforce. Those paying for private school education for their own children will still benefit from other people's (apparently inferior) education.

Now, I partially agree that this should not be implemented part way through an academic year, but I strongly refute the assertion that the only way to get a good education is to go private. That is simply untrue.

If a rise in fees is enough to take kids out of private school then you obviously couldn't afford it. Excuse me if I see through the faux concern about state kids.

Private schools are running a business of course they should pay VAT.

I think a lot.of parents are more worried about their friends finding out that they aren't as rich as they are pretending to be, so it does make me chuckle.

@Completelyjo well… @geeenuoe has confirmed that actually they do. It’s the top 5 percent of earners.

This is the problem… nobody wants to accept that someone on 100k would willingly give up that proportion of their income for their child’s education. But they do. At most private schools certainly in the regions.

Exactly this^^

I'm sure there are downsides to adding VAT to school fees. But the way people have been bleating on about it on MN is astounding. You used to be able to afford private and now you can't. At an individual level, that must be rough. But considering how some people live in this country, it is so tone deaf to go on about it.

Fwiw I went to private school and work in a state school - have worked in a few. I have no issue sending my kids, including one with SEN to state. Honestly, the comp I work in is better than the private school I attended. Everyone I know who went to boarding school has had struggles with their MH as a direct result. It's just wild that people are acting as if not being able to afford private school is a crime against your human rights

@Bazinga007 you clearly don’t know anyone from private schools. Some parents really care about their child’s education. That’s why they break the bank to make it work.

Me too

People keep spouting this about other hypothetical people but I’ve yet to see any data showing the these apparent mass removals of private school children upon introduction of VAT.

But nobody is forced to pay for private education, like anything you pay for you can either afford it, or you can’t. If people now can’t afford it so be it, those that can will pay the vat into the system so it can be better used to support public services.

The only thing I’m shocked about is that it’s even been exempt for so long, there’s no reasonable reason why it’s never been paid.

The VAT raid will have no effect on the super rich whatsoever. They'll be able to afford it regardless.
The people who will be impacted are middle earners who make sacrifices to send their kids to private school.

@MrsSchrute so it’s becoming a bit circular isn’t it… if some state schools are good enough then leave the mugs paying for private to it? Can’t be a luxury if the state sector is just as good, can it.

I couldn’t disagree more.

Firstly the private school parents are funding the state sector they don’t use. Without their “free” money the state sector would collapse.

In my experience the idea that people use private schools to cultivate connections is a total myth. I don’t know anyone who used a private school connection to advance their career.

I won't lose sleep over it. It's all relatively isn't it. Things change prices go up and you decide what you can and can't afford. I would say that if you are really scrimping and saving to send children private and there is nothing at thr end of the month, it's risky to do so. Fees can go up without vat and like anything in life people need to imagine whether they could afford it if things go up, like mortgages, can uou afford an extra 100 a month if rates change.. if not then you need some thing cheaper.

Some parents really care about their child’s education

The vast majority of parents really care about their child's education. The vast majority of those children go to state school.

It's not supposed to punish anyone. It is meant to raise money to spend on state education, you know the education system used by about 90% of the population.

Cared enough to open the thread and post!

For those who think this is a good idea, just research what happened to Greece when they added tax to school fees.

Be careful what you wish for….

But that doesn’t start with taking a good education away from those who already have it, does it?

well, it definitely starts by funnelling the money to the majority.

Also, you’ve complete ignored my 1st post about ‘affordability’.

@thepariscrimefiles you do understand that some vat on fees won’t fix the state sector?

The average private school fees are nowhere near 30k, so no I don’t at all believe that there is a huge amount of people taking home less than 5 fucking grand a month and somehow paying 30k school fees from that.

Like those thousands of pensioners who will have to make a choice between heating or eating this winter?

I think you’ll find the vast majority of all parents really care about their child’s education, just because most can’t afford private school doesn’t mean they don’t care.

I actually couldn’t care less whether someone who could previously break the bank to pay for private can’t now afford it, such is life, there’s loads of things I can’t afford, I don’t expect anyone else to care about it.

@Completelyjo well until you know first hand you will live in this deluded land where people have to be millionaires to use the private sector.

Yes labour was a good choice all round everyone