Scrap the plan for VAT on private schools, Labour. Just let low-income kids attend instead

Labour may be gaining a reputation for policy shyness, but one of its ideas is already having an impact. The party’s plan to introduce a 20% VAT tax on private schools to better fund state education seems to have spooked the sector, which has increased fees by 8% this year. Meanwhile, the Independent Schools Council has reportedthat admissions this past year have fallen 2.7%, and earlier this year the FT reported that private schools are aggressively recruiting wealthy international students in anticipation of Labour’s proposals.