A new survey reveals that one in eight families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in private schools have been “forced to move home” due to Labour’s new tax on private school fees.
The survey, conducted by Education Not Taxation (ENT), a parent group, asked 1,600 families who pay for private schooling for children with SEND. The results show that 12% of respondents have had to relocate or downsize their homes to afford the 20% VAT on private school fees, which was introduced in January.
In addition, 21% of families reported remortgaging their homes to meet the rising costs.
The survey also found that families are cutting back in other areas to make ends meet. Fifty-seven percent of respondents have limited their heating, 71% have reduced spending on food, and 72% have cut back on travel to cover the VAT increase.
The issue is now being brought to the High Court, with families challenging the VAT policy, claiming it discriminates against SEND children.
There are about 100,000 children with SEND in private schools, many of whom are there because the state system does not provide suitable support. SEND conditions include autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, as well as hearing, vision, and mobility challenges.
ENT claims the VAT is adding an average of £300 per child per month to families’ expenses.
Loveena Tandon, a spokesperson for ENT, said: “Families should not be forced to sell their homes or cut back on basic necessities just to give their children the best possible start in life. Ministers are refusing to see what’s happening, and it’s shameful that children are suffering because of it.”
The survey was conducted online last week, reaching fee-paying SEND families through ENT’s Facebook group, which has 25,000 members. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents believe that their children’s needs cannot be properly met in the state sector. However, 46% of those surveyed said they would consider moving their child to a state school due to the increased costs.
Shadow Education Minister Neil O’Brien criticized the tax, stating, “Labour’s education tax will have a disastrous effect on parents, pupils, and teachers. Thousands of SEND pupils risk losing access to the independent sector, with the state sector unable to accommodate them. This is forcing parents into impossible choices.”
Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Munira Wilson also condemned the policy. She said, “Children with special needs are at risk because of this tax. The state special needs system is already under strain, and this policy is only adding more pressure to an already broken system.”
Currently, only a small percentage of SEND children are eligible for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), which provides extra support from the state.
A Government spokesperson responded, saying, “Fewer than 0.1% of students are expected to change schools as a result of the private school tax, especially with over one million available places in schools nationwide. Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8 billion annually by 2030 to reinvest in state education.”
The spokesperson added, “We are rethinking the SEND system to ensure that it spreads opportunity and builds confidence for families, delivering the improvements they have been asking for.”
