A scorching controversy has ignited in the UK as the government moves forward with plans to levy a 20% Value Added Tax (VAT) on private school fees starting January. The policy, spearheaded by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, has drawn fierce opposition from a segment of private school parents. The debate reached a fever pitch recently when members of a Facebook campaign group resorted to vitriolic personal attacks against Phillipson, even likening her to a Nazi.
The private Facebook group, operated by Education Not Taxation: Parents Against School Fee VAT (ENT), has over 23,000 members. While the group’s stated mission is to challenge the VAT policy, some discussions have devolved into ad hominem assaults on Phillipson. Messages seen by this publication labeled the education secretary a “vile hag”, the “queen of mean”, and “scum”. Most shocking were posts drawing parallels between the VAT plan and the persecution of Jews in 1930s Germany.
1930s Germany targeted the Jewish minority on the basis of their perceived privilege Bridget Phillipson. Just like you going after the 500,000 children in private school.
– Message in ENT private Facebook group
ENT organizers said they attempt to moderate such comments but lack dedicated staff to police the over 1,400 posts the group receives daily. “We do not condone the language in these posts,” a spokesperson stated. However, they also accused Phillipson and the Labour government of “‘othering’ independent school children, fuelling abuse and creating a toxic environment.”
Policy Aims to Boost State Education
The government contends the estimated £1.7 billion in annual revenue from the VAT will fund major improvements to state education, including:
- Hiring 6,500 new teachers
- Better mental health support for students
- Breakfast clubs for all primary schools
Opponents argue the policy is rushed and will drive up class sizes in state schools as some families will no longer be able to afford private school tuition with the added tax. There are also concerns over impacts on students with special needs as well as children from military families and smaller religious communities who attend private institutions.
Private School Families Feeling the Pinch
On social media, private school parents have been sharing ways they are cutting back spending to absorb the VAT costs, including:
- Canceling RSPB and National Trust memberships
- Forgoing kitchen renovations
- Putting off new driveway installations
These posts draw attention away from the very real and legitimate concerns parents have about the future of their children’s education.
– Independent Schools Council statement
The Independent Schools Council, while condemning the abusive language, urged the government to delay implementing the VAT and work to mitigate negative impacts on schools and families.
With the January rollout of the VAT looming and tensions running high, the battle over private school fees shows no signs of abating. As the personal and vitriolic nature of some attacks grabs headlines, the substantive policy debate risks getting overshadowed. All sides are under pressure to tone down the rhetoric and focus on students’ educational wellbeing. The coming months will be pivotal in determining how this contentious issue plays out and what it means for the UK education landscape.
