A thought on the VAT on private school fees debate...
It would appear that fees for private healthcare (e.g. Bupa) are also VAT-exempt. The same argument could therefore apply: consumers of private healthcare have already paid tax (notionally NI, but we all know it doesn't work like that) to fund a public service, but have chosen not to use it.
On that basis, why choose to add VAT to private school fees, and not private healthcare? Don't get me wrong - I advocate neither private schools nor private healthcare. I believe that universally available high-quality public services is the morally proper solution.
I don't really understand why we need VAT at all (I'm not an economist) but if we're going to have it I think it should be levied on all goods and services with very few exemptions (for example, essential medical products, water and energy, non-luxury food and school uniforms). That would include private schools and private healthcare. I must be a socialist, unlike Keir Starmer!
#LINO #SchoolFees #VAT