Christian schools plan to seek a Judicial Review over the U.K. government’s plans to add Value Added Tax onto private school fees, which they say risks closing the schools and denying parents the rights to give children an education based on school curriculums prioritizing Christian values and beliefs.The Christian Legal Centre is supporting Emmanuel School in Derby, the Branch Christian School in Yorkshire, and the King’s School in Hampshire for the legal claim. Several Christian parents and pupils have also been included in the claim, stating the new Labour government has illegally discriminated against them because of the VAT policy.
A draft bill was announced by the government on July 29, to pass legislation through the Finance Bill for the 2024-25 budget, which will amend the VAT Act 1994. Members of the House of Commons debated the issue on Tuesday, but the plans are set to go ahead from Jan 1, 2025.
The proposals are short-sighted and the government does not appear to realize, or care, about the impact they will have on the U.K.’s education system,” said Caroline Santer, headteacher at The King’s School in Hampshire. “The VAT increase affects families who are not from affluent backgrounds but want to send their children to a Christian school. Following the draft legislation, a number of families have been forced to take out loans.“The school will also feel the effect of the VAT increase as we will lose 80 percent relief on business rates. The policy will also have a significant impact on teachers’ wages and on the ability of independent schools to maintain their buildings.
