Debate: Save Our Private Schools VAT Should Not Be Charged On Private School Fees, Part One
In this live debate, our expert panel decides whether the UK's private schools should continue to enjoy their tax advantages. The UK has an education system that perpetuates inequality. Seven per cent of its children go to private schools and yet these institutions receive around three times the funding per student as the average state school. Privately educated people then go on to dominate our elite institutions. They are seven times as likely to win a place at Oxford and Cambridge universities as their state-educated peers, and they make up 65 per cent of senior judges and 29 per cent of members of parliament. Who could possibly object to a tax that would benefit the majority of Britain\u2019s schoolchildren?\nThose who believe in aspiration, that\u2019s who, argue the champions of private schools. People like Prime Minister Rishi Sunak\u2019s parents, who, as he has explained, were not wealthy or privileged but who worked hard so that they could send their son to one of this country\u2019s top independent schools. Removing the tax breaks on private schools would amount to class war and punish parents who are prepared to make sacrifices to give their children the best start in life. Because, let\u2019s be honest, it won\u2019t be the one per cent who will be affected by this change, but the children of the \u2018squeezed middle\u2019 and the less well off who rely on bursaries and scholarships to access private education \u2013 many of whom these schools may no longer be able to support under Labour\u2019s proposals.\nShould private schools continue to enjoy their tax advantages or not?\nOn stage to discuss it for this event was our panel; Fraser Nelson, Editor of The Spectator, Helen Pike, Master of Magdalen College School, Oxford, the journalist, broadcaster and Contributing Editor at Novara Media, Ash Sarkar, and Melissa Benn, writer and campaigner for a high-quality comprehensive school system.\nThe discussion is in two halves. If you\u2019re an Intelligence Squared Member you can get the whole thing right now \u2013 no waiting around. Head to intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. \nFor \xa34.99 per month you'll also receive:\n- Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts\n- Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series\n- 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events\n- Our member-only newsletter The Monthly Read, sent straight to your inbox\n...\nOr Subscribe on Apple for \xa34.99:\n- Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts\n- Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series\n...\nAlready a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more\n...\nSubscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.\nhttps://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices