Chancellor defends controversial VAT on private school fees

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on legal fees to defend a new 20% VAT on private school fees. Parents are crowdfunding for a High Court case challenging this tax, claiming it harms children with special educational needs. The upcoming case, set for April 1, argues that the tax makes necessary education unaffordable. The government denies this, stating that children can receive adequate education in the state sector. The legal battle is significant, as it could impact 550,000 pupils in independent schools. The government has hired four top barristers, indicating the seriousness of the challenge to this policy.