"We are disappointed that a similar exemption has not been made for the children of UK service personnel, in their own country." - @The_AFF
Children of US soldiers are exempt from VAT on independent school fees in the UK, @Telegraph reveals
Independent Schools Council
1,607 posts
Independent Schools Council
@ISC_schools
The ISC brings together seven associations to represent over 1,400 independent schools, educating more than 500,000 children. RT/quotes do not = endorsement.
Joined February 2010
- Campaigners have delivered a petition to Downing Street with 203,400 signatures calling for independent school fees to remain VAT-free, amid a House of Lords debate on the potential effects of the tax policy
- Independent school parents should be "applauded" rather than punished for "relieving the state" of paying for their children's education, says the headmaster of @stowemail, Dr Anthony Wallersteiner
- "I’m going to have to find another £300 a month on a really stretched budget... or move him to a school where it won’t be the right environment for him." Melissa, whose child has special needs, is urging Labour to halt or delay its VAT on fees policy
- Unions, tax experts and school leaders have urged Labour to delay its VAT on fees policy until at least September 2025, warning the January start date would cause administrative chaos, teacher redundancies, and more pressure on the state sector 👇
- "My son is bewildered by it all... he keeps asking: Why would they do that? Why would the government do this?" Ben Smithwell, whose children attend an independent school set to close this July, warns of the "chaos" VAT on fees is causing for families
- Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of misleading the public over the VAT on fees policy, after suggesting it will be used to fund housing, not state school improvements
- "The @LibDems are very worried about this idea from the Labour government and we will be voting against it. It's so poorly thought through." Sir Ed Davey has criticised the VAT on fees policy, warning it could force some specialist SEND schools to close
- MPs debated the government's independent school tax policies yesterday after a petition launched by parents received more than 100,000 signatures. During the session, MPs from across the country warned of the challenges schools and families are facing hansard.parliament.uk/undefined/2025… 🧵
- More than 3,000 independent school pupils applied to state schools between June and September and a further 2,500 have given notice to leave in January 2025, fuelling concerns that Labour has underestimated the impact of its VAT policy on pupil movement
- Labour's VAT on fees plan faces a High Court challenge over claims it breaches human rights law. Lawyers acting on behalf of a mother and her autistic daughter have written to the Treasury arguing the policy discriminates against children with SEND
- VAT on school fees has contributed to the UK’s highest inflation spike in 10 months, according to the @ONS
- Updated guidance on charging VAT on independent school fees is "not fit for purpose", the ISC has warned ministers. In a letter signed by all seven of its member associations, the ISC described the guidance as "confusing", "partial", and "poorly drafted"
- Labour knowingly chose the "most disruptive" start date for its VAT on fees policy, internal government documents have revealed. ISC CEO @JulieR_isc said that "the short window of time means that schools and parents have been forced to scramble" telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/0…
