Reform UK MP Richard Tice has warned the Labour Party of being "tied up in legal knots" as they face a legal battle on their decision to raid VAT on private school fees.
A single mother of an autistic child has taken her case to the High Court, claiming that the plans jeopardise her daughter's right to education.
Speaking to GB News in light of the case, Health Secretary Wes Streeting fiercely defended Government plans, telling parents and schools "not to complain" as they were "pre-warned" about the move.
Hitting out at Streeting and the Labour Party, Richard Tice claimed the Government are being "discriminatory" towards pupils with special educational needs, with around 100,000 being affected by the VAT changes.
Richard Tice has warned of the impact of Labour's 'discriminatory' VAT policy on private school fees
GB News / PA
Speaking to host Camilla Tominey, Tice stated: "I indicated back in May that this ridiculous policy would end up in the courts. And sure enough, that's where it's heading.
"There are about 110,000 special needs children, special education needs children who are in independent schools, of whom about 100,000 don't get any educational health and care plan, therefore they're not exempt from this VAT policy."
Discussing the impact of the VAT policy on the education of special needs children, Tice warned that they face severe "damage" to their education if they are forced into state schools, which cannot cater for their specific needs.
Tice explained: "I suspect half of them are going to have to go back into the state system. There aren't the places in the state system - I've had hundreds emailing me to say their state school locally has said they haven't got any room in their classes. There's no room for special educational needs children.
Wes Streeting told GB News that schools and parents 'can't complain' about the decision as they were 'pre-warned'
GB News
"This is a catastrophe waiting to happen, and I think the Government is going to be tied up in knots with legal cases. It's discriminatory. It's damaging the education of those children."
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When asked by Camilla how the parents can challenge Labour's decision in the courts, Tice highlighted that special needs children being deprived of the correct education can be classed as a "breach of human rights".
Tice argued: "It's a breach of their human rights and the ability to have a proper education because there aren't the special educational needs places in the state system.
"They're saying we can't accommodate you, which means that you have to go into a mainstream school, which means the education of your child is clearly damaged, and that's very serious."
Noting the decision is not taking place in other establishments such as universities, Tice added that the policy is "discriminatory" as it benefits "the elite".
Richard Tice warned that Labour will be 'tied up in legal knots' over the move
GB News
Tice told GB News: "I'm saying this because education is the most, most important human right.
"It's the original charitable purpose, and the discrimination elements of it - how can you discriminate against children from 7 to 18?
"But then the elitist universities, they're not going to have VAT put on their fees. That's discriminatory too. I promise you, this is going to run and run in the courts."
