Labour's plan to impose VAT on independent schools will impact thousands of pupils locally and put state schools under pressure, warned Peter Fortune MP as he voted against the Government's education tax in Parliament today.
Over 5,000 pupils across the London Borough of Bromley, including more than 1,180 with special educational needs, study at independent schools. Under Labour plans, these families face an average tax bill of up to £4,345 per year to continue their children's education or be forced to move schools.
The Government doesn't know how many pupils will move, but industry groups warn that as many as 134,000 could move to state schools because of the tax, putting pressure on teachers, class sizes and school resources.
VAT will be applied to independent school fees from January 2025, in the middle of the school year, leaving parents with no time to prepare and schools unable to register for VAT in time.
Peter Fortune MP spoke against the Government's education tax twice and voted to stop the policy, but Labour MPs approved the move. He branded the tax "cruel", as one local headteacher described it.
Speaking in Parliament, Peter Fortune said: "Sending children to independent schools, a personal and privileged choice, isn't a bad thing, which should be taxed and regulated out of existence. It doesn't mean state schools are poorer. In fact, we pay our taxes and opt out, leaving more space and school resources for others. Independent schools are also offering bursaries and donating the use of their facilities to other local schools.
"Those who think differently have an ideological obsession. And I'm afraid this new Labour government shares it. They're not thinking about lifting schools up but tearing some down. It's ideological, not practical. And worse of all, it's ill-considered. As one headteacher told me locally, this policy "is nothing short of cruel"."
Six independent schools, including three independent special schools, in the Bromley and Biggin Hill constituency will be impacted, affecting over 1,800 pupils.
Pupils studying at an independent school with an Education, Health, and Care Plan will not be directly affected, but these typically small schools will have to spend more time and resources on registering and collecting VAT instead of teaching.
