Challenge to VAT on private school fees

Six families supported by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) are challenging by way of judicial review the Labour Government’s decision to introduce VAT on private school fees. The focus of the judicial review is the potentially disproportionate impact of the change on particular groups of pupils.

Julie Robinson CEO at the ISC commented: “Throughout the debate over charging VAT on education we have consistently said that the diversity within independent schools has been ignored by policymakers. As a result of the government’s blanket approach the impact is likely to be felt immediately by many families and children many of whom have chosen an independent school for reasons including faith SEND support dual-language learning or single-sex education. It is to protect the rights of these families who are having their choice removed from them by this policy that we are seeking a...