Thank you to those who took the time to share their thoughts on the Government’s plans to introduce VAT on fees for independent schools. It is clear that many people in East Surrey are concerned about the impact of these plans on schools, families and children’s outcomes.
Here are the results of the survey:
- Over 98% of respondents disagreed with the Government’s plans to introduce VAT on independent school fees, believing this would put additional pressure of the state school system.
- 98% of respondents said the policy would put additional pressures on services for children with special educational needs.
- 90% of respondents said that independent schools saved the taxpayer money.
- 87% of parents who responded and had children at independent schools said that they would have to consider sending them to a state school as a result of taxing school fees.
It is clear that this policy is going to be damaging for many children and parents. The Government's approach misunderstands the sacrifices that many families make in order to give their children a better life. Far from costing the state, parents who send their child to an independent school are saving the Government money and subsidising the state school system. They are directly paying for one for their child at the independent school, and paying for a state school place through general taxation. To penalise them for doing this is immoral.
As a former minister for SEND, I am acutely aware about the impact on children with special educational needs (SEND). There are currently around 100,000 pupils in the UK attending specialist independent schools, 93% of which do not have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). These families, who have often faced uphill battles to find a school that meets their children’s need, will now be taxed. If their parents are unable to afford the increased fees, children would have to attend schools less able to cater to their complex needs.
The survey’s feedback has informed a letter I have written with my fellow Surrey MPs to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves. We have asked her to reconsider the policy overall, and introduce an immediate exemption for children with SEND attending independent specialist schools – whether or not they have an EHCP.
I will continue to do everything I can to oppose this badly thought-out policy. It does not benefit the public finances, nor does it benefit our children’s education.
