Sir Keir Starmer meets political science students at St George's School in Harpenden. Photo: Paul Grover/Telegraph
Labor has been accused by private schools of misreading public sentiment with its plans to eliminate tax breaks in the sector.
According to a survey commissioned by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) by Public First , a total of 48% of respondents agreed that private schools should retain tax incentives, including VAT exemption on fees.
However, 30% said it should be driven by an increase “the amount they make for the public good” and 18% said they should keep the tax break regardless.
37% thought they should not be eligible for tax breaks, while 15% said they didn't.
According to Labor policy, private schools will lose their 20% VAT exemption, as well as will have to pay business rates.
Over-spending commitments
The ISC said Labor has committed education spending that will exceed the expected income they will receive from the tax changes by more than a billion pounds.
According to the organisation, the party has earned nearly £2.2bn. in cost policy, such as teacher hiring and the introduction of teacher retention payments.
The EDSK think tank said there would be a £991m increase in VAT on fees, but according to the ISC, with Labor's pledge not charge VAT on children with special needs, this amount drops to around £895 million.
ISC said the gap between expected revenue and promised spending was nearly £1.3bn.
Julie Robinson, chief executive of ISC, said: “We have said repeatedly that the policy will not raise the money promised.< /p>
“We support the idea of a fully funded education system, but penalizing parents with a school choice tax is not the best way to achieve this.
“We would welcome the opportunity to work with the Labor Party to build on the good work already done by our schools to improve education for all.”
Labour dispute results
A Labor Party source disputed the survey results, pointing to a separate poll, conducted for the Daily Mirror by Redfield and Wilton last year, which showed that 62% thought private schools should lose their philanthropic status.
The source said: A more discredited, partial analysis of the ISC, which is losing support among its members.
“Recent more reliable polls have shown that the removal of tax breaks in private schools is extremely popular among the public.
“All of the Labor Party's educational strategies, including our plans to implement teaching world-class in public schools and investing in speech and language interventions at an early age, are fully paid and funded.
“The Labor Group will provide high and rising standards in public schools by eliminating tax credits for private schools, because we believe that perfection is available to everyone.”
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