![VAT on school fees will leave state pupils worse off](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583504377/1718842689/articles/EbpP-O50F1718866907671/VAT-ON-SCHOOL-FEES-WILL-LEAVE-STATE-PUPILS-WORSE-OFF.jpg)
Quelle surprise! After dropping a £28billion "green spending" pledge earlier this year, shelving plans to elect the House of Lords and halting the re-introduction of a cap on bankers' bonuses, the Labour leader has now backtracked on plans to add VAT to all fee-paying schools by exempting pupils with the most severe special educational needs.
This latest about-turn is one we all saw coming. It is another nail in the coffin for a policy motivated by sheer class envy without common sense.
Why would some students need to be exempt from VAT on private education if the goal of universal mediocrity is such a noble aim?
By creating this provision, Sir Keir has now opened a can of worms. He is not only acknowledging that state schools don't provide a good enough education for some of our most vulnerable youngsters, but he has also become the arbiter of a system that he seems to hate so much. Where will this all end?
Will students now need to provide a worthiness certificate? And what is classed as special needs?
What about a socially awkward child who would benefit from private schools' smaller class sizes? Does Comrade Starmer find their reasoning worthy of deserving a decent education, or must the Treasury fill its coffers at that poor student's expense?
This story is from the June 20, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
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This story is from the June 20, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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