Londonpreprep

🚨VAT on schools - consultation announced🚨 The Government has published a consultation on its plans to add 20% VAT to school fees making them unaffordable for many hardworking families. In Surrey Heath constituency: 📚 There are 833 pupils in 6 independent schools. 🧑‍🏫 Of these, 231 pupils get support for special educational needs, or a disability (SEND) 👩‍🏫 131 of these pupils – 57% – get this support without an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) 💷 Their families will be charged VAT under current plans 296 pupils attend 3 small Christian schools. Source: @ISC_schools These plans will put huge pressure on our state schools and reduce the options for children with special educational needs. This change is also being made exceptionally quickly with no option to plan. Short term this could cause disruption to children’s education (in both independent and state schools) mid year. Longer term this could force schools to close putting even more burden on the state sector. Furthermore this penalises hard working families who scrimp and save to send thier children to independent schools. The answer to education funding is NOT to impose a pernicious tax on schools, especially those which cater for special needs. I would advise all those who may be affected to review the plans and submit their response to the consultation. I’m working with colleagues across the county and nationally to evaluate any response or challenge. Please sign up to my mailing list on get in touch with me here to add any comments: edmcguinness.org.uk/contact The deadline is 15 September 2024 and responses should be sent to: [email protected] gov.uk/government/publicatio…