In anticipation of an “unprecedented legal challenge”, Rachel Reeves is spending hundreds of thousands on legal fees to defend her controversial VAT raid on private schools. The Mail has the story.
Parents opposed to the 20% education tax are crowdfunding to enable them to launch next month’s landmark case at the High Court, on behalf of their children who have Special Educational Needs (SEN).
A legal source described them as “fighting to avert really dire scenarios on behalf of many claimants who are very, very vulnerable”.
Meanwhile the Chancellor, who is the defendant, has employed four KCs – the most experienced and expensive barristers in the land – to lead the Government’s case.
Losing in court could force the Government to abandon the tax, which affects all 550,000 pupils in the independent sector. Around 100,000 of these have special educational needs.
Legal experts said “the serried rank of barristers” was a clear sign the Government saw the case as a direct threat to “a manifesto promise” and an “unprecedented challenge”. One said: “It is very, very rare that a flagship piece of legislation like this is challenged in the courts.” …
Parents bringing the April 1st judicial review say the tax breaches their children’s rights to have the education they need because it makes it unaffordable. …
News of the case comes as two more independent schools – Falcons School in Putney and Ursuline Prep in Ilford, told parents they are likely to close due to financial pressures.
A dozen school closures have been announced since VAT was imposed on fees in January.
Worth reading in full.
Stop Press: You can donate to the parents’ crowdfunder here.
To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.
Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.