House of Lords Debate on School Fees VAT

[TheBustyBee]

I was invited to attend a debate in the House of Lords on VAT on Independent school fees. The debate went on for quite awhile, hours in fact. I was shocked at the indifference of the current government to the unintended consequences of this policy proposed. Not a single Lord supports this policy, the strongest voices against it were Labour! I didn't realise how much harm it would cause to SEN kids, Military families, religious schools, small regional schools, AND of course state schools as they will be absorbing more and more kids! What is this government thinking about? They need to improve state schools but this is the most preposterous way of doing it.
Parliamentlive.tv - House of Lords

Thank you for highlighting this. I think it’s an awful move and I’m a Labour voter. I think it’s going to bite the government on the arse which they deserve for this dogmatic punitive move. Provide a good SEND support system in state schools and lots of the demand for private schools would fall away if that’s what they are so concerned with.

@TheBustyBee - can I ask why you were invited? I am not really surprised at the response from the House of Lords - it is after all an institution dripping in wealth and privilege.
This policy impacts on a very small number of families. Its hard for them but it is much harder for families with SN children who are struggling to heat their homes or put food on the table.

TBH the policy won't even raise the money they need to genuinely fix state education. To do that, they need a clearer strategy and longer term funding solution. They should probably raise council tax. Sin taxes etc. Breaking up other schools and damaging kids who are settled is a rotten way of trying to raise money. But it seems like its not really about the money, its more ideological.