Labour's policy to levy VAT on private school fees from January 2025 has forced the sector to 'remove the fat', industry insiders say
Labour's policy to levy VAT on private school fees from January 2025 has forced the sector to 'remove the fat', industry insiders sayParents have expressed concerns they could “pay more but get less” as schools are forced to cut their core costs to absorb a proportion of the VAT on fees.A source at a private schools association said staffing costs can be up to 80 per cent of school budgets meaning some have “little other choice” but to make cuts.
The Independent Schools Council maintains that there is a wide range of private schools and many do not have a large surplus, raising concerns about school finances and survival. He said: “I’m concerned that school won’t be able to invest in new infrastructure projects, or they might have to cut back on the number of teachers in the school, and you might find you’ve got larger class sizes.“You will probably see a narrowing of subject choices at GCSE and A-level,” he added, explaining options like Latin, Greek and some creative arts could be discontinued.
“The key thing they don’t want to touch is teaching and very few schools that I know at the moment are having to let teachers go,” he toldMs Sanderson and Mr Roskilly both said the offer provided by most private schools is unlikely to get worse and pupils will not notice a decline.This could result in bigger class sizes, declining facilities, fewer free extra-curricular options and narrowing subject choices for pupils.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Impact of VAT on private school fees will be published by Labour on Budget dayLong-awaited analysis of how controversial move will affect independent and state sectors will be revealed just eight weeks before policy comes into force
Read more »
85% parents considering removing children from private schools due to VAT increaseA poll of over 3500 parents across the UK carried out exclusively by LBC has revealed that 85% of them who have children in private schools are considering removing them because of the government’s removal of the VAT exemption.
Read more »
Parents of SEND pupils at 'breaking point' over private VAT hikeParents of dyslexic children say there aren't the places or support at state schools.
Read more »
Council chiefs reject claim VAT on private schools will lead to pupil exodusEXCLUSIVE: COSLA have downplayed suggestions the VAT policy will place a burden on council-run comprehensives.
Read more »
Education minister says NI private schools should not pay VATPaul Givan said fee-paying schools here are different from those in England.
Read more »
FactCheck: will adding VAT to private school fees ‘overwhelm’ state school classes?Will an exodus of private school pupils “overwhelm” the state sector when VAT is added to school fees in January?
Read more »