Labour's proposal to impose VAT on private school fees has sparked significant debate and concern. The policy, championed by Keir Starmer, aims to generate additional revenue but has been criticized for potentially exacerbating inequality. Critics, including Fraser Nelson, argue that the tax change could force charitable schools to operate like profit-driven companies, worsening inequality. Private school fees have already risen by 6.2% in anticipation of the VAT hike. Piers Morgan and others have labeled the policy as 'the worst kind of politics of envy,' suggesting it could harm smaller independent schools and overwhelm the state education system. Analysis by the Telegraph indicates that the VAT hike could cost the average family nearly £62,000 over a child's education. Some parents are already withdrawing their children from private schools due to the anticipated financial burden. Wes Streeting defended Labour's plan on BBC Question Time.
Private school parents who can’t afford VAT rise ditch Labour ⬇️ @zeshasaleem reports https://t.co/JTPXedEd5h
✍️ "If Starmer really wants to improve education, he should be promising tax relief" | Writes Catherine McBride (@CeeMacBee) Read her full piece here ⤵️ https://t.co/toE1sQFXR3 https://t.co/uOKJIT2jbC
💰 How much will Labour’s private school VAT hike cost you? Labour’s tax raid on private school fees would cost the average family just under £62,000 over the course of a child’s education, Telegraph analysis has found. Use our tool to find out exactly how much it will cost you… https://t.co/3AqzWKxyyV
Wes Streeting destroys arguments against Labour's private schools plan on BBC Question Time https://t.co/DiMXKqlvfZ
Piers Morgan was correct about Labour’s “politics of envy” on #bbcqt “It's not about the Eton colleges of the world. It's the small independent schools, they're gonna go bust & then 100’s of kids will need to go into the state school system & they are going to swamp the system.” https://t.co/tEBwWl4tUE
.@piersmorgan is right. Labour’s schools tax will hurt many smaller independent schools, put pressure on the state sector and hit hardworking parents the hardest. As he says, “it’s the worst kind of politics of envy” - simple as that. https://t.co/eO91i8wJ7Y
Piers Morgan to Wes Streeting: “It’s the worst kind of politics of envy”. Watch as Morgan takes down Labour’s flagship policy of destroying independent schools with a destructive tax grab. A perfect critique in barely 1 minute. @piersmorgan #bbcqt https://t.co/KkUEFX6URr
🔴 Private school fees rise 6.2pc to brace for Starmer’s VAT raid https://t.co/U5CZA0cjZg
Starmer's plan to charge VAT to private schools could worsen inequality, warns @FraserNelson "... a tax change that almost instructs charitable schools to behave like selfish, profit-seeking companies would worsen inequality." https://t.co/Wv9AnVYgwd
Labour urged to clarify when parents would pay VAT on private school fees https://t.co/XTk9xGFexk
The nightmare finding a good state school: As Labour are set to whack VAT on fees, I had to pull my children out of £38,000-a-year private school because of the soaring cost of living… It's been awful https://t.co/ekYZRK91IO https://t.co/sCZm9yOnUw