The Labour Government are implementing a tax on aspiration and on investment in our children's future by imposing VAT in-year on private schools.
Parents unable to pay these higher fees will lose the choice of where to send their children to school. Over 37,000 children could need a space at their local state school, putting significant pressure on our Grammar Schools and Secondary Schools. Class sizes would likely increase, and the policy could disproportionately affect many children with special education needs and particular faith groups.
Labour’s plan will have significant consequences for our community here in Kent. The benefits provided by independent schools would decline, including the generous bursary system they offer to disadvantaged students. Our local schools provide wonderful assets including access to their facilities for the town of Tonbridge and the wider area, contributing to making the Tonbridge community what it is. This area will be hit hard by these changes and I have already started discussing with schools how best we can address this.
As an area of the country in which education is a dominant industry, being the largest employer in this community, Labour must evaluate the impact of this policy on the broader education sector. Tonbridge School alone is the largest employer in Tonbridge and this policy threatens many jobs in the town.
Our education system is one that demonstrates that a range of secondary schools working effectively alongside one another, catering for many different needs, can generate positive results for everyone. In our community, all schools provide that bridge to take young people to the next stage of their lives. That is why education is one of the biggest pull factors to Kent. And that's not just good for schools, it helps support local businesses, allows local communities to develop and connect, and boosts opportunities for all.
England is now one of the best performing countries for education in the western world, and we need to ensure that the next generations get the best start in life. We need to go further to maintain our world-class education system and continue the progress made in the last decade.
I will continue to scrutinise the Government to remove this tax on aspiration, personal choice, and social mobility – the principles we as a country and community should value. This policy would make our town and country much poorer.
I would be very grateful for your thoughts on this subject too, so that I may convey as many voices to the Government as possible. I will not pass on your personal details to any third party.