VAT on private school fees does not infringe human rights.

[CrocusesFlowering]

So the Court of Appeal have rejected the appeal by parents.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/private-school-vat-appeal-high-court-ruling-human-rights-b2928803.html
Can it be taken further now?

I wasn't the first to mention Scandinavian countries.

I didn't say you were.

There are buckets of threads about benefits, taxes on high earners, the "vindictiveness" of this policy etc.

I joined this thread because it was specifically about the court case, whereas others have not been.

My understanding is that the UK has chosen to dig it's own hole, and does not want to be like Europe ? So why are comparisons being made ?

Not sure! I suppose it is slightly complicated by the fact that the elements of law under discussion are in the European Convention on Human Rights, as incorporated into UK law. I assume this means that the ECJ could arbitrate as the final stage of appeal (assuming any Supreme Court ruling is the same) but I am not certain about that.

No the ECJ has absolutely no jurisdiction (or relevance)over this.

The ECJ is a completely different and separate court to the ECHR.

Thanks for the correction - 'tis a bit confusing that the court and the convention are both called ECHR!

That is indeed confusing. European Court of Justice deals with EU law. The European Court of Human Rights deals with the Human Rights Convention (ECHR). Two entirely separate courts for two entirely separate functions.

As an aside, the EU still has not acceeded to the ECHR, despite it being in the Lisbon Treaty (~2007) to do so.

Looks like we are off to the Supreme Court.

https://christianconcern.com/news/christian-schools-win-permission-to-appeal-vat-policy/

Universities next

Burnham will certainly need to raise new taxes to pay for all the spending and benefits he has planned.

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https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/parenting/5551437-independent-schools-in-2026-are-full-fees-still-worth-paying?reply=153382614

Tax is not the problem

internal corruption and non means tested “perks” are forcing mergers and closures.

They don’t have time to last out the current government.

The rest of the world advanced in A.I expensive technology and systems and U.K. kids may as well whip their quills out!

Family investment in U.K. education 2026 onwards is paying operating costs of the school and staff. The government fund this at state for the same provision!

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https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/parenting/5551437-independent-schools-in-2026-are-full-fees-still-worth-paying?reply=153382614

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