Hi All,

We have heard on good authority that MPs across parties are seeing the letters you’re sending, and that’s exactly what we need.  If you haven’t already, please write to your MP and express your concerns about this policy. 

Politely and civilly explain why this issue matters and how it will affect your family and others.  Urge them to insist upon a dynamic impact assessment (taking into account uncertain changes in behaviour by schools and families, rather than assuming everyone can and will pay up) from the Office for Budget Responsibility, and to ensure that the Government listens to the voices of parents whose children could be forced from their schools, into unfunded and non-existent state school places and to the great detriment of others, not just yourselves.

You may get a message saying that your MP is away (they are in recess, after all), or is getting higher volume of correspondence than expected.  Don't let that discourage you.  Your voice will be heard.

You can find your MP here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

So, what should you write?   As a starting point, please look at this post from the blogger Mr Chips that will help you write your letter.  If you’re in a hurry, take a look at this guidance from Mr Chips’ post, and please be sure to include this 2-page policy summary in your email/letter to your MP (both will download as PDFs, by the way).

It is clear that the aggressive timing of the draft legislation causes particular problems.  We have heard that MPs’ offices, schools, and local authorities are closed for the holidays.  We also know that most local authorities--for example Somerset--advise very strongly against school moves mid-year and within exam cycles.  

Meanwhile independent schools typically require a term’s notice i.e., before 1st September (if you cannot pay January’s fees +VAT).  You could add these concerns to your letter.  If you’ve already written and this affects you, write again.

Incidentally, we do not accept the line that “we had years of warning of the Education Tax”.  We are not expected to make plans based on Opposition Policy.  The Education Tax only became reality at the King’s Speech, and its timing only became reality with the draft legislation.

Also, please continue to share our petition far and wide!  Nearly 190,000 people have now signed this petition, and we need many more voices still.  We're racing toward 200,000 and beyond, and we’re planning to submit our petition to Downing Street in early September.  Watch this space for more updates and how you can help!

For those just signing our petition: Be sure to select ‘receive updates’.  If you’ve signed the petition and aren’t getting updates, do the following:

1. Click your profile (top right on change.org) and log in 
2. Select "manage communication preferences"
3. Select "Send me emails when...There is an update to a petition I’ve signed"
4. That's it!  Thank you 

Also, be sure to follow us on social media and join in the conversation, civilly and politely. You can follow us on X/Twitter on @EducationNotTax, on Instagram on @education_not_taxation or on Tiktok on @education_not_taxation.  Parents and supporters can also join us on our Facebook page.

Finally, we are of course well aware that the Government has published its consultation for school fee VAT, and we as Education Not Taxation will submit a comprehensive response.  Please resist the temptation to flood their inbox with individual views, as it could dilute our overall message.  

That said, if you have particular needs (such as Special Education Needs or military), do encourage relevant organisations to submit a response addressing those concerns.  Examples of these charities include:

• National Association for Special Education Needs (nasen.org.uk)
• SOS!SEN (sossen.org.uk)
• Scope (scope.org.uk)
• Army Families Federation - Supporting Army families worldwide (aff.org.uk)
• NFF | Championing Royal Navy & Royal Marines families
• Support for RAF personnel and families < RAF Families Federation (raf-ff.org.uk)

Please let us know how you get on, and any news you might hear from these and other charities.  We would like them to submit a fact-based response to the consultation showing how this policy can harm children they represent.  You can email us any updates through this contact page.

Also, encourage your children’s schools to submit a response as well.

Thank you again for all of your tireless support in this fight.  Rest assured your voices are being heard and watch this space for more updates soon!

Tony Perry

Education Not Taxation