Bridget Phillipson leaving a Cabinet meeting at Downing Street (Image: Getty)
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has defended Labour’s plans to impose VAT on private schools by insisting those that close are already facing “big budget shortfalls”.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
See the Value of Your House Instantly (Take a Look)Home Value Search Now
Undo
From January, the Government plans to remove the VAT exemption and business rates relief for private schools to enable funding for 6,500 new teachers in state schools.
Currently, independent schools do not have to charge 20% VAT on their fees because there is an exemption for the supply of education.
Ms Phillipson said: “Private schools are businesses that can make choices about how they manage their budgets, the level of fees that they charge, and ultimately it’s about how attractive they are to families in terms of the numbers of students that are sent there.”
Sponsored
SmartAsset Learn More
When Should Retirees Consider Firing Their Financial Advisor?
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Speaking to Sky News, she added: “We have seen private schools in recent years whack up their fees year on year, way beyond inflation, and that has priced out lots of people.
Don't miss... Fury at Labour over ‘chilling decision’ to abolish University Free Speech law [LATEST]
“I think what we’ve seen with some of the examples that are being discussed are schools that were already experiencing big budget shortfalls, weren’t attracting the same numbers of students that they might like to attract, and that’s what’s driving what we see here now.
“Our plans to impose VAT on private school fees are about driving high standards in our state schools.”
There are concerns that private schools could shut if hard-pressed families move their children to state schools.
Labour pledged to end the VAT exemption for private schools to raise an estimated ￡1.6bn, which the party said would be used to hire 6,500 teachers in the state sector.
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
DON'T MISS
Powered by
‘Two-tier Keir' funds soaring public sector pension bill by taxing private sector pensions
147 Comments
Pensioner, 75, 'sick of income tax' cuts work hours after Winter Fuel Payment is axed
10 Comments
DWP issues exact date letters will be sent as thousands could lose extra money
1 Comments
Triple lock boost may push 400,000 pensioners into paying income tax
15 Comments
'I'm a state pensioner forced to grow my own food to survive - ￡8,814 isn't enough'
96 Comments
Exact date all state pensioners will start paying tax after Triple Lock change
137 Comments
A Level results 2024 grade boundaries for AQA, OCR and Edexcel exam boards
Comments
Martin Lewis warns you 'won't pay off' student loan as interest rates change
1 Comments
Royal Family's A-Level results revealed - and the surprising member who never sat an exam
3 Comments
Children to learn how to identify extremist content and fake news after far-right riots
402 Comments
Hundreds of thousands set for ￡800m UK broadband boost today in Express campaign victory
41 Comments
DWP 'quick calculator check' could boost your income by ￡3,900
Comments
Spiralling Council Tax debts - How struggling households can reduce their bill to ￡0
1 Comments
Grieving mum sends heartbreaking message to families of Southport stabbing victims
Comments
61 Shockingly Unexpected Gifts Nobody Would Think OfMystery Inventions Shop Now
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour to hit military families with VAT nightmare - and it will 'cost taxpayer millions'
1769 Comments
Imposing VAT on private school fees is regressive and wrong - Labour must U-turn
13 Comments
The US Government Is Providing Free Covid & Flu Test Kits Again (Claim Yours Now)Free Covid Test
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will face special milestone with Archie after Colombia trip
68 Comments
Parents to be told if their child's school is falling down
62 Comments
Chrissy Metz Is So Skinny Now And She Looks Like A ModelCleverst
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves 'economic illiteracy' exposed as 'cruel' Labour war on pensioners backfires
411 Comments
A Level results clearing warning issued by Student Loans Company
5 Comments
Flight Attendant Shows How To Fly Business Class For The Price of EconomyCoupon Code Finder Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
‘Two-tier Keir' funds soaring public sector pension bill by taxing private sector pensions
147 Comments
Pensioner, 75, 'sick of income tax' cuts work hours after Winter Fuel Payment is axed
10 Comments
Pregnant Beggar Asked For Help But Then A Woman Follows Her And Sees ThisSportlit
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
DWP issues exact date letters will be sent as thousands could lose extra money
1 Comments
Triple lock boost may push 400,000 pensioners into paying income tax
15 Comments
Neuropaty is not from Low vitamin B (Meet the Real Enemy)Neuro Reports
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
'I'm a state pensioner forced to grow my own food to survive - ￡8,814 isn't enough'
96 Comments
Exact date all state pensioners will start paying tax after Triple Lock change
137 Comments
Plastic Surgeons Tell: If You Have Wrinkles, Do This Immediately (It's Genius!)Beverly Hills MD Learn More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
A Level results 2024 grade boundaries for AQA, OCR and Edexcel exam boards
Comments
Martin Lewis warns you 'won't pay off' student loan as interest rates change
1 Comments
Access All TV Channels Anywhere, AnytimeNovaWave
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Royal Family's A-Level results revealed - and the surprising member who never sat an exam
3 Comments
Children to learn how to identify extremist content and fake news after far-right riots
402 Comments
Ex-Wife Speaks Up About Why She Left Shaquille O'NealSports 1st
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Hundreds of thousands set for ￡800m UK broadband boost today in Express campaign victory
41 Comments
DWP 'quick calculator check' could boost your income by ￡3,900
Comments
People Born 1941-1971 Are Due a Large SurpriseSeniorDealToday Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Spiralling Council Tax debts - How struggling households can reduce their bill to ￡0
1 Comments
Grieving mum sends heartbreaking message to families of Southport stabbing victims
Comments
Labour to hit military families with VAT nightmare - and it will 'cost taxpayer millions'
1769 Comments
Imposing VAT on private school fees is regressive and wrong - Labour must U-turn
13 Comments
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will face special milestone with Archie after Colombia trip
68 Comments
Parents to be told if their child's school is falling down
62 Comments
Rachel Reeves 'economic illiteracy' exposed as 'cruel' Labour war on pensioners backfires
411 Comments
A Level results clearing warning issued by Student Loans Company
5 Comments
‘Two-tier Keir' funds soaring public sector pension bill by taxing private sector pensions
147 Comments
Pensioner, 75, 'sick of income tax' cuts work hours after Winter Fuel Payment is axed
10 Comments
DWP issues exact date letters will be sent as thousands could lose extra money
1 Comments
Triple lock boost may push 400,000 pensioners into paying income tax
15 Comments
'I'm a state pensioner forced to grow my own food to survive - ￡8,814 isn't enough'
96 Comments
Exact date all state pensioners will start paying tax after Triple Lock change
137 Comments
A Level results 2024 grade boundaries for AQA, OCR and Edexcel exam boards
Comments
U.S. Residents May Qualify For Massive Debt Relief (Only If You Claim It)TheWalletGuru
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
This New Sleep Patch Technology Has Taken The US By StormZleep
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Do This Once Daily And Your Muscles Could Feel Years YoungerPower Life
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Try This Daily Habit to Keep Your Muscles Feeling YoungerPower Life
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Damian Hinds MP, Shadow Education Secretary, said: "It is simply not good enough for this Labour government to try and blame schools for the results of their punitive education tax.
"They have been warned from the beginning that this misguided ideological crusade will cause school closures and lead to a flood of pupils into a state sector that simply does not have capacity to absorb them.
"It will be pupils, teachers and parents that will pay the price for this. We will hold Labour to account on their behalf."