Hi All,

We reached a new milestone.  Over 100,000 people signed our petition calling on Labour not to add VAT onto independent school fees.  

They represent families across the country, from cities to the countryside, from Scotland to the Channel Islands.  Thousands also shared why they sent children to independent schools and what VAT means for them.  

Their stories show that families send children to independent schools for many reasons.  Some have children with special education needs that aren’t met in state schools.  Others wanted to strengthen their children’s connection with a particular faith or culture.  Still others wanted an option when they couldn’t get a place in their preferred state school.  

We launched a new campaign called “Education Not Taxation: Parents Against School Fee VAT” (www.educationnottaxation.org) in January.  This campaign explains the harms Labour’s policy will have on many children and their families.  It also explains how the maths Labour use to justify their policy don’t add up.  It shares stories of families who fear having to take their child out of the school they know and love.

Families sharing their stories have sparked a national conversation that continues today.  Their stories have been featured in national papers including The Times, The Telegraph, The Daily Mail and others.  Parents expressed their concerns on the radio, including with Times Radio Breakfast (22 Jan 24), LBC’s Ben Kentish (30 Jan 24),  and on television, including a short debate with Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson on BBC2’s Politics Live.   

MPs are hearing from you, and they debated school fee VAT in Parliament last Wednesday (21 Feb).  You can find the transcript of the debate here, or see the debate for yourself here (starting at 16.30).  

We are especially grateful to Andrew Lewer, MP (Northampton South, Con) who organised the debate, and to the following MPs who spoke out against Labour’s proposed school fee VAT: Dr Neil Hudson (Penrith & the Border, Con), Jonathan Lord (Woking, Con), Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings & Rye, Con), Munira Wilson (Twikenham, Lib Dem), Paul Scully (Sutton & Cheam, Con), Jim Shannon (Strangford, DUP), Darren Henry (Broxtowe, Con), David Simmonds (Ruislip, Northwood & Pinner, Con), Suella Braverman (Fareham, Con), Robin Walker (Worcester, Con), Neil O’Brien (Harborough, Con) and Nigel Huddleston (Financial Secretary to the Treasury), Sir John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings, Con) and Brendan Clarke-Smith (Bassetlaw, Con).

We are moving hearts and minds, so let’s keep up the good work!  Let’s push well beyond 100,000 signatures, bringing together independent school families so that our voices are heard.  

Here are some ways you can help:

• Volunteer as a ‘school fee VAT champion’ in your school.  Keep an eye out for other parents who find themselves up at night worrying about taking their children out of their schools.  Listen to them and encourage them.  Continue to share this petition with parents, grandparents, students, staff and the wider community, so that our voice becomes even stronger.   Also, encourage parents to join our Facebook group to share thoughts and ideas.
  
  
• Share your stories!  The press are looking for new parents, because the public need to see the human cost this policy will have.  Contact us directly if you would be willing to share your story, and know that you will be speaking on behalf of many who don’t have a voice but will pay a price.

Finally, if you’re in London tomorrow  (Tuesday 27 February), consider coming along to a an event called  “Debate: Save Our Private Schools!”   This is held by Intelligence Squared at Conway Hall from 19.00 - 20.30 (the postcode is: WC1R 4RL).

This event brings Fraser Nelson (Editor of the Spectator) and Helen Pike (Master of Magdalen College School, Oxford) – who oppose school fee VAT – together with Melissa Benn (Writer and long-time campaigner for a high-quality comprehensive school system) and Ash Sarker (Journalist and Senior Editor at Novara Media) in their support for school fee VAT.  

Tickets are still available and you can find more information here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/debate-save-our-private-schools-registration-759021522807

Thank you all for your support!  Keep up the great work and we will move hearts and minds.  Our next update is coming soon, and we’ll include advice on how to write your MPs.

Tony Perry on behalf of Education Not Taxation: Parents Against School Fee VAT