Jardine pushes Government on VAT pressures on Edinburgh schools

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has criticised the UK Government’s plans for VAT on school fees, citing the projected pressure on the state sector.

Estimates say one in four pupils in Edinburgh attend independent schools, with the Scottish Council of Independent Schools suggesting adding VAT to fees could shrink the sector by up to 13%.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s projections for secondary school rolls claim that all but one secondary school in Edinburgh West will be over capacity within the next three years, before any pupils moved from private schools.

In her first question to Sir Keir Starmer in the new Parliament, Ms Jardine also urged the Prime Minister to explain how money raised from VAT on fees in Scotland could be invested in state schools in Scotland, as whilst VAT is a reserved tax, education policy is devolved. 

However, the Prime Minister did not address this point.

Christine Jardine MP said:

“I was disappointed to see the Prime Minister refuse to address the concerns of many parents and teachers in Edinburgh West about the impact of his plans for fees on our community.

“After 17 years of failure on education under the SNP, the last thing pupils and parents need is more disruption from this ill-conceived idea.

“The Council has been clear that our schools are already fit to burst. They cannot afford a surge in enrolment if parents move their parents to the state sector.

“There must be a clear plan to boost funding for our schools and provide our pupils, parents and teachers with the schools, facilities and opportunities they deserve.”

• Christine Jardine MP’s question to the Prime Minister can be viewed here.

• City of Edinburgh Council’s secondary school roll projections can be found here. 

• Analysis of the impact of the policy from the Scottish Council of Independent Schools can be found here.