Bradley has urged the Government to scrap its education tax in a debate in Parliament.
Today (October 8th), Bradley held a Westminster Hall debate on the Government’s decision to remove VAT and business rates exemptions from independent schools.
There are three independent schools in Bromsgrove and the Villages, including Bromsgrove School which employs more than 600 local people.
Bradley has been contacted by parents who are removing their children from independent schools, pushing them into the state sector and increasing class sizes.
A report from the respected think tank, the Adam Smith Institute, provides a detailed examination of the potential economic impacts of the Government’s policy. If 10-15% of students transfer, the net revenue could be negligible. And in a scenario where 25% of students switch to state schools, the tax could cost the Government £1.6 billion.
In April 2024, the Times reported on the results of a survey that found 71% of respondents to the survey said that rising school fees would have an impact on their choices around private schooling in the future. It found that 26% of parents in its survey said they “would have to remove their children from independent school if VAT was imposed.”
Speaking following his debate, Bradley said:
“I’ve always been and will remain committed to supporting education across the board, including our excellent state schools, and I want all schools to be adequately funded and present opportunities for children from all backgrounds. I say this as someone who was proudly educated in state schools and who cares about the life chances of everyone.
"However, the Government’s education tax isn’t just flawed in principle, it will not achieve any of its proposed aims.
“I’m therefore calling on the Government to pause and reconsider this education tax with a view to abandoning it. Its unethical, will damage a British success story and won’t fulfil its stated aims.
“If the Government fails to do so, then I have set out sensible and practical steps they can take to minimise the impact their policy will have on parents.
“First, the imposition of VAT should be delayed until the start of the next academic year. There has been no proper impact assessment of these policies on state schools, SEND provision, or faith schooling. A full consultation and impact assessment is needed before changes are announced.
“Second, the Government needs to assess how very small independent schools can be protected from VAT and tax changes. They are vital community resources – which are smaller than most independent school and charge much lower fees.
“Third, armed forces and diplomatic service families on Continuity of Education Allowance should be exempt from VAT. Those who rely on boarding education to serve our country should not be penalised.
“And lastly, the Government should revise the definition of "private schools" in the VAT policy to ensure that specialist colleges, given their unique role and public funding structure, are explicitly excluded.
“This is a short-sighted policy which will hit hardest those in society who it claims to be supporting, it will damage the wider education sector as a whole, and it will worsen academic and social inequalities while being a net cost to society, the education sector and the British taxpayer.”