Private schools in the UK are set to challenge a new VAT policy.
- The Independent Schools Council (ISC) claims the tax is discriminatory.
- The policy could impact students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Potential economic implications include increased strain on state schools.
- Private schools seek government cooperation to minimise negative effects.
In a move reflecting growing discontent among private educational institutions, the Independent Schools Council (ISC) announced plans to initiate a legal challenge against the proposed VAT on private school fees. The ISC argues that the levy is inherently discriminatory, affecting not only mainstream independent schools but also those catering to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as faith-based and arts-specialist schools.
The ISC has enlisted the services of prominent barrister Lord Pannick KC, noted for his defence of Boris Johnson during the Partygate inquiry, to spearhead a judicial review. This review will be based on the assertion that the VAT policy infringes on the European Convention on Human Rights. The central argument posits that families relying on private institutions to meet specific educational needs might struggle to find equivalent support within the state school sector.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed that this VAT measure will commence in January, with expectations to generate £1.7 billion annually by 2030. However, the Office for Budget Responsibility has projected that this policy could displace approximately 35,000 students from private to state schools, consequently intensifying pressure on already stretched public education resources.
Julie Robinson, Chief Executive of the ISC, expressed grave concerns regarding the policy’s neglect of the independent sector’s diversity. She highlighted that many private schools operate under tight financial constraints. Robinson underscored the ISC’s resolve to defend the rights of families choosing independent education, who might face prohibitive cost increases due to the VAT.
The ISC is urging government collaboration to review and adjust the policy’s timeline, aiming to mitigate adverse impacts, particularly on smaller institutions, SEND provisions, and arts education. With predictions indicating that two-thirds of the tax burden will shift to parents, significant shifts in the UK’s educational framework could ensue, sparking an ongoing debate about private education access.
The legal action by private schools underscores ongoing tensions in the UK’s educational policy landscape.
