The Conservative MP for Solihull West & Shirley, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, has written to the new Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, urging the Government to reverse its policy of charging VAT on independent school fees, arguing that it has failed to achieve its stated aims and has instead harmed pupils, parents and schools.
In a letter dated 22 July, Dr Shastri-Hurst congratulated Ms Powell on her appointment before calling on her to “change course” on what he described as a “fundamentally misguided” policy.
The Conservative MP said Labour had justified the introduction of VAT on independent school fees on the basis that it would raise enough money to recruit an additional 6,500 teachers. He argued that the policy had not delivered that objective and claimed that teacher numbers were now around 2,000 lower than when the measure was introduced.
Writing to the Education Secretary, he said:
“Rather than increasing the teaching workforce, teacher numbers are now around 2,000 lower than when the policy was introduced, undermining the very rationale on which it was promoted.”
Dr Shastri-Hurst also raised concerns about the effect on the independent school sector, saying more than 100 schools had closed, disrupting the education of many pupils and placing additional pressure on the state sector through increased demand for school places and local authority admissions. He wrote:
“Far from strengthening education, it has reduced parental choice, destabilised schools, and increased pressure elsewhere in the system, all while failing to deliver its principal objective.”
The MP acknowledged that governments face difficult fiscal decisions, but argued that policies should be reconsidered when the evidence suggests they are not achieving their intended outcomes.
He urged ministers to remove VAT from independent school fees and instead work with both the independent and state sectors to develop policies that increase educational opportunity, strengthen the teaching workforce and improve outcomes for children.
The introduction of VAT on private school fees was a key Labour manifesto commitment and came into force in January 2025. The Government has consistently argued that ending the long-standing VAT exemption would raise around £1.8 billion a year by the end of the Parliament, with the money being invested in state education, including funding for 6,500 new teachers.
The policy has remained controversial. Critics argue it has contributed to fee increases, school closures and reduced parental choice, while supporters say it ends a tax break for fee-paying education and helps fund improvements across the state sector. The Government has also disputed claims that the policy has placed significant pressure on state school admissions, pointing to admissions data which ministers say does not show a large-scale migration of pupils from independent schools.
Dr Shastri-Hurst concluded his letter by offering to meet the Education Secretary to discuss the issue and expressing hope that the Government would reconsider the policy in light of what he believes is the evidence of its impact.
What do you think?
Should VAT on private school fees be scrapped, or is it a fair way to fund state education? Have you or your family been affected by rising fees, a school closure, or a move from the independent to the state sector? Let us know your views. [email protected]
