The Government is planning to impose a 20% VAT rate on private school fees in a few weeks’ time, from 1 January 2025. Local parents, Teachers and Headteachers from our independent schools in Sussex Weald have been in touch with Nusrat to express concerns about the timeframe of the implementation of this policy, the impact that these changes will have on small, low fee independent schools in the constituency, and concerns about the schools' long-term viability and possible closures.
Nusrat Ghani MP said: “I appreciate that this issue is hugely important and worrying to Sussex Weald teachers and headteachers of our small, low fee independent schools which are unique in their rural nature and very different in character from many typical private schools elsewhere in the UK.
I recognise that any closures of our local independent schools would lead to major job losses and have an impact on the economy as well as leave children without local school places. Just as I have previously raised issues and concerns of our local state schools, I will also raise concerns of our independent schools with Government Ministers to ensure that the impact of these changes on Sussex Weald schools is fully recognised.”
The details of these changes are expected to be confirmed in the Chancellor’s Budget at the end of October.
Nusrat Ghani MP and Debby Hunter, Principal of Annan School
