Faith schools seek exemption from VAT if fees are low

Private faith schools have held talks with ministers over a proposal to exempt small establishments from VAT if their fees are far below those charged by elite schools such as Eton.

- Richard Adams

The group, representing more than 270 independent faith schools that often rely on donations and volunteers to survive, said the government's policy of adding 20% VAT to fees would force many to close and leave deeply religious families with no alternatives.

Sector leaders have warned that some families could instead turn to unregistered schools with few safeguarding protections.

“For the Christian, Jewish and Muslim families we represent, attending a faith school is not a choice; it is integral to their way of life,” the group told the Guardian.