The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has reiterated the Government’s stance on levying VAT on private school fees, insisting that closures in the sector are not a new development.
Appearing on Camilla Tominey Today on GB News, Ms Phillipson acknowledged that parents now face a choice in terms of fee-paying education, but stated she has no intention of reversing the policy.
“I don’t want disruption to children’s education if that were to result,” Ms Phillipson said. “But private schools, as businesses, will face choices as to how they manage their money. Parents also have choices as to how they spend theirs. If they choose not to opt for a particular school, and demand falls, that is how the market operates.”
When pressed on whether she was comfortable seeing further private school closures under her watch, Ms Phillipson noted that a falling birth rate has already led to “significant numbers of spare places” both in the state and private sectors. Highlighting that many private schools have shut down over the years, she stressed it is “not a new phenomenon” and that the broader trend has long predated the VAT policy.
Defending the policy
The Government’s decision to impose VAT on private education has sparked debate and concern among some parents and school administrators, who fear rising fees could drive more establishments to close. However, Ms Phillipson appeared resolute in her approach:
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