Labour’s private school war is 'unnecessarily cruel' and ‘discriminates’ against Christians

The Labour Government’s proposed policy will remove independent schools VAT and business exemptions, and fund state provisions with an additional £1.5billion.

At present, private schools do not have to charge VAT on their school fees, as there is an exemption for the supply of education to children.

The policy raises significant concerns about possible human rights breaches.

Many private schools serve families with various religious beliefs, that may not be available from the state sector offering.

If those schools see their numbers reduced, and must close due to Labour’s VAT plans, then the rights of parents to select an education for their children that does not clash with their own religious beliefs could be undermined.

Closures of this sort could potentially violate protections provided by International human rights law, which provides guarantees for parents to choose the education they feel best fits their children's needs.

Speaking to GB News, Hannam said: “There is no other Anglican Secondary provision in our area, and we are a day school, so all our families live in the local area – their choice is removed totally unless they are prepared to geographically relocate."

Hannam fumed: “Put simply – ‘What choice is left for those parents whose choice of an Anglican education is no longer affordable to them? This feels discriminatory."

When asked if faith schools are already seeing the impact of the VAT tax raid, Hannam said: “I have been contacted by one parent who has already raised concerns about choristers who have pledged themselves to a cathedral choral foundation, having to break their pledges (to God) and face significant upheaval to what is a way of life, if fees become unaffordable.”

Labour's policy could have an impact on choir schools of which Lichfield Cathedral School is one, with parents at these schools believing the choral tradition to be precious and sacred, with many children undertaking a choristership.

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Some parents have told GB News that their children “risked invalidating sacred vows made in the presence of God” and that the government's VAT rise “threatens to place these sacred commitments in jeopardy.”

While another parent penned a heartfelt letter to the Prime Minister saying: “As a mother, I cannot stand by and see my children’s life chances dismissed as ‘collateral damage’ in a policy which does not work in the best interests of every child.

“I do not believe swooping in on private schools and politicising the education of our children is the answer.”

This comes after the Institute for Fiscal Studies has previously predicted that more than 40,000 private school children may have their places withdrawn by parents because of the VAT decision.

In response, Conservative MP and Shadow Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: "The impact of Labour’s Education Tax could see thousands of pupils enter state schools, increasing class sizes and disruption for teachers and pupils and increasing costs for the taxpayer."

The implementation of adding VAT to the cost of a private education being brought forward to January 2025, could mean that for many families their children's education is greatly disrupted.

Hinds warned the Government are rushing the "implementation" of this change.

He said: “They are seeking to introduce this tax part-way through an academic year, having given no impact assessment."

The East Hampshire MP added: “The government has not considered the consequences of the changes on either the private or state sector, nor how this will impact pupils with special needs or from a minority religious background."

The Government launched an official consultation process on July 29 for plans to add VAT to private school fees and add business rates to independent schools.

Contrary to Labour’s estimates of raising approximately £1.5bn from taxing the private school sector, the Adam Smith Institute believes the policy will raise just £840million if five per cent of children leave, break even if 10 per cent leave, and cost the Treasury more than £2.5bn if 25 per cent of children leave those schools.

Loveena Tandon, a spokesperson at Education Not Taxation said: “Anxiety, disappointment, and sadness are the overwhelming emotions shared by over 220,000 parents in the ENT group as January 2025 approaches.

“Despite multiple efforts by ENT to meet Sir Keir Starmer, Bridget Philipson and Rachel Reeves — including delivering a letter signed by over 200,000 parents to the Prime Minister — Labour has shown no willingness to engage or listen to the families affected.”

A government spokesperson said: “We want to ensure all children have the best chance in life to succeed. Ending tax breaks on private schools will help to raise the revenue needed to fund our education priorities for next year."