The Bishop of Southwark has criticised the way the government is planning to remove VAT exemption from private schools.

During a House of Lords debate this week, Rt Rev Christopher Chessun said the manifesto commitment would have “adverse and unintended consequences… unless it is applied with much greater sensitivity.” He said he was “deeply concerned” about the impact on some small private schools which serve children with special educational needs as well as some cathedral and choir schools, which he said would be severely affected if the exemption is removed.  

The exemption is due to be removed on 1 January 2025 and Bishop Christopher said he’s concerned because it doesn’t give schools much time to adjust their budgets.

Another Christian peer, Lord Alton went as far as saying the plans may be in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights because they “disproportionately impact middle-income families like those of the 168,000 children who receive financial support from the independent schools or the 10,000 who pay no fees…

"These are the families, many of whom have made great sacrifices for their children's education, who will suffer, not those with ultra deep pockets…

"The government should dwell a pause and think again."

The new government will apply a 20 per cent VAT charge to private education and boarding schools from January 2025. It estimates the move will raise up to £1.5bn for state sector investment, including on recruiting 6,500 teachers.