James Wild speaks out against Labour plans to tax private school fees

James Wild has spoken out against the Labour Government’s plans to apply VAT to private school fees.

Speaking in Parliament as a Shadow Treasury Minister, the North West Norfolk MP argued that the move undermines the principle that education is a “public good”.

Private schools can currently claim gift aid on donations and avoid paying tax on annual profits, which must be reinvested in education.

Labour says the additional VAT on fees, which looks set to come into effect in January, will help to pay for more teachers and breakfast clubs in the state school sector.

However, many have argued that it will cause chaos - with teachers potentially losing jobs and schools being forced to close.

In Parliament, Mr Wild said: “Sadly, this cruel tax, which is being imposed midway through the academic year, will damage the education of thousands of pupils.

“It is sadly typical of the ideological approach that we have seen the new Government take on education, where they are trashing the record of schools, pupils, teachers and governors over the past 14 years when we rose up the international league tables.

“The Opposition are deeply concerned about the impact the tax will have on pupils with special educational needs, small rural schools, faith schools and schools taking part in the music and dance scheme.

“We have consistently warned of the damage it will do to young people’s education, and we voted against the measures in the Budget resolutions.”