UK education leaders oppose Labour's VAT on school fees

Philip Britton, the incoming Chair of the Heads' Conference (HMC), criticized the UK Labour Government for its recent decision to impose a 20% VAT on private school fees. He described this move as "destructive" and warned it would create long-lasting negative consequences for independent education in the UK. Since the tax was introduced in January, it has led to significant disruptions. At least 15 private schools have closed or are planning to close. Britton noted that schools have been struggling to implement the tax amid tight deadlines and insufficient guidance from the government. Britton, who leads Bolton School, one of the largest independent schools in the UK, expressed concerns that the VAT would hinder efforts to provide financial support for students. His goal was to increase bursary support from one in five pupils to one in three by 2030. However, he stated that achieving this goal would now be much more difficult due to the financial strain caused by the new tax. The HMC, representing prestigious institutions like Eton and Harrow, believes the government's focus on independent schools is narrow-minded. They emphasize that independent schools significantly contribute to the educational landscape and the government should support rather than penalize them. The HMC has decided to pursue legal action against the government regarding the VAT tax. A court case involving parents of children with special needs, who are also challenging the government's actions, is set to be heard in the High Court next month.