Christian schools seek exemption from Labour's 'oppressive' VAT raid

The Treasury hopes to raise funds for state schools by lifting the exemption which currently applies to school admissions.

But the collection of Christian schools based in Derby, Hampshire, and Yorkshire fear schools could close and prevent parents seeking an education that “aligns with their faith.”

Ben Snowdon, Headteacher at Emmanuel School, said “We believe this is denying parents the choice.

“Faith is a protected characteristic in human rights law. Parents who are choosing to send their children to a faith school like ours aren’t choosing it because they’ve got lot’s of money.”

He also claimed that parents look at the rest of the “options out there” and don’t see a suitable school “available to them.”

VAT on fees is due to come into effect on January 1, 2025.

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Emmanuel School charges £4,320 per year for admission which Snowdon says is considerably less than other independent schools and less than state schools receive in funding per pupil.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates between £1.3billion and £1.5billion in revenue could be raised by the tax.

VAT currently stands at 20 per cent on goods and services at each stage value is added.

Branch Christian School in Yorkshire, Kings' School in Hampshire, and Emmanuel in Derby are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre and Christian Concern to bring their claim to the High Court.

“It’s a courageous decision that they’ve made to do this,” said Christian Concern's education chief Steve Beegoo said.

“There’s something occurring which could be seen as breaking the international human rights law.”

The schools are seeking a judicial review - a tool used by courts to test if proposed legislation is illegal.

They're intending to prove the tax is discrimination under Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Beegoo said the addition of VAT is a “huge shift in policy” which could be devastating.

The campaign group worry smaller “low cost” schools will be at risk, disproportionately affecting families of faith and those with additional needs and disabilities.

“Eton will just whack another £10,000 on and carry on regardless," he said.

A HM Treasury 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, such as recruiting 6,500 new teachers.”