Paul Bennett @Travelman

Why is this state school in Reading facing an ‘influx’ of enquiries and ‘high demand for tours’ that it’s hosting a special open morning just for in-year transfers? @bphillipsonMP—any thoughts? @MattRodda—concerns? Especially given your detailed report on the harms of in-year transfers. Here’s a clue... #SchoolFeeVAT. Your policy is driving children out of independent schools. #FindABetterWay @CommonsEd @educationgovuk @UKLabour @isaschools @ISC_schools @tes @Telegraph @MailOnline @LauraTrottMP #EducationNotTax

@SamJRushworth @GuyEmma68700 @NoVATEducation @bphillipsonMP @UKLabour @RachelReevesMP Oh dear @SamJRushworth It’s obvious that you voted on something that you do not understand. Indy schools have always paid VAT. All Education has been exempt on charging VAT as it has been in the public interest not to. Working parents are now being punished for their choices.

The data is coming in, and the impact of #SchoolFeeVAT on state schools and children's education is undeniable, it's clear that the Govt has got it projections very wrong. Here's what we know: ISC reported: A 1.7% drop in ind. school student numbers in Sept, including a 4.6% decline in Year 7 —around 10,500 fewer students on roll vs 2023. ➕ In-year transfer applications: 200 LAs have reported 3,000 in-year transfer applications, with 85 LAs still to respond, suggesting around 5,000 applicants. ➕ ISC report that 2,550 students have served notice to leave 900 independent schools in Jan, with the total across all 2,600 schools likely even higher. 🙈This early data does not bode well for schools, children—and this is just the tip of the iceberg as it should come as no surprise that: Parents will protect their children’s education, they will strain every sinew to avoid in-year transfers, which educators recommend avoiding, especially during GCSE/A-level years. Parents will wait for the right "jump-off point" (e.g., September, Year 3, Year 7, Year 12) for an unfunded state school place. Given the early data, the Govt should expect medium-term displacement to be far greater than their projected 3000 in 2024/5 and longer term 35,000 The full impact won’t be clear for a few years, but by then, much damage will have already been done to children, state schools and our world leading independent school sector. Parents will seek a formal review of this pernicious tax and the Govt must be held to account each year. There is time to #FindABetterWay and @UKLabour should scrap #SchoolFeeVAT #EducationNotTax Sources bbc.co.uk/news/articles/……… telegraph.co.uk/money/over-300…… @RachelReevesMP @LauraTrottMP @NeilObrienMP @KemiBadenoch @Keir_Starmer @BPhillipsonMP @CMcKinnellMP @StephenMorganMP @Jacqui_Smith1 @TomTugendhat @DamianHinds @educationgovuk @hmtreasury @TheIFS @ASI @MaxwellMarlow @ISC_schools @Parentkind @NASUWT @NEUnion @SSAFA @NavalFamiliesFed @TheAFF @RAFFamilyFed @CamillaTominey @Nanaakua1 @joe_rich @KirstieMAllsopp @IsabelPat1886 @OllyMetcalfe @dshensmith @Anthony_J_Perry @joenutt_author @abritishparent @lianafricker @thatginamiller @BellaWallerstei @RobertJenrick @CarolineLucas @theSNP @UKLabour @Conservatives @reformparty_uk

"Unprecedented turnout" – Is #SchoolFeeVAT pushing families to rethink their options? Many will avoid in-year transfers, holding out for the right 'jump-off point'. Competition for September places in strong sixth forms will only intensify. #SchoolFeeVAT is a lose-lose. #FindABetterWay #EducationNotVAT

@bphillipsonMP you said there were places in state schools, you said that a warm welcome would be waiting for any independent school child who needed a place. So why are these parents being told otherwise? What's the plan? #EducationNotTax @theSNP @educationgovuk @NeilDotObrien

A Ju @aju94650

2 years ago

Labour led Edinburgh council affirms that state school places are available but when parents enquire, they are told no places are available. What’s the plan @bphillipsonMP @Keir_Starmer ? @EducationNotTax

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

21 52 179 36K 1

@ColchesterLab Hi Pam Cox. Given the serious concerns over the independence of the @IFS report, will you support the parent group @EducationNotTax and call for an @NAOorguk inquiry to scrutinise the report findings? #EducationNotTaxation

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

Alex Armstrong @Alexarmstrong

2 years ago

This is the “carbon capture” concept Starmer and Ukulele player Ed Miliband just spent £22bn on (the same size of the black budget hole). Worse, it’s totally UNPROVEN science. You know what does work? Trees. Morons are running our country.

735 3K 11K 217K 123

£32,000 to look like Man from Matalan.

This is disgraceful class driven lunacy from a Labour Party that is plastered in sleaze. It's been reported that Bridget herself took money from Lord Alli to help fund her birthday party. You should be ashamed of not just this post @bphillipsonMP, but your entire Government.

Bridget Phillipson @bphillipsonMP

2 years ago

Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery. Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our students need careers advice more than private schools need AstroTurf pitches. inews.co.uk/news/private-s…

5K 911 6K 6.3M 223

This sort of tweet is unworthy of a member of cabinet. It says more about her than about the parents who care of their kids or the teachers who work so hard. The motivation for this spiteful policy is clear. Which is why it firstly won’t work and then, inevitably, will be changed

Bridget Phillipson @bphillipsonMP

2 years ago

Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery. Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our students need careers advice more than private schools need AstroTurf pitches. inews.co.uk/news/private-s…

5K 911 6K 6.3M 223

Hi @bphillipsonMP, is this another version of your argument that minorities don't matter? Shocking, to be honest. Evidence is already showing that your numbers aren't adding up, so why are you promising state schools things this tax won't deliver?

Bridget Phillipson @bphillipsonMP

2 years ago

Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery. Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our students need careers advice more than private schools need AstroTurf pitches. inews.co.uk/news/private-s…

5K 911 6K 6.3M 223

Oh dear. Notes as an aide memoire I can understand but reading them out. Embarrassingly unqualified for the role.

Alex Armstrong @Alexarmstrong

2 years ago

This is the calibre of your Deputy Prime Minister, and likely next PM seeing as Starmer is cooked. I’ve never seen someone so unqualified standing at this dispatch box. Embarrassing.

1K 3K 14K 1.3M 856

There is no “tax break” as Labour imply. Education has never been taxed and is not taxed worldwide. We will be outliers in the world.

ENT - Education Not Taxation @EducationNotTax

2 years ago

🚨 The early warning bells are ringing loud and clear! @UKLabour must #FindABetterWay to fund state schools. 🙈4.6% drop in 2024 Yr 7 independent intake 🙈More families using state schools 🙉School closures, job losses 🙈legal challenges ahead #EducationNotTaxation

15 35 236 6K 0

Wishful thinking, though the politics of envy are hard to ignore. It’s an ill thought through policy designed to pit families against each other with no thought for the children involved.

Joe Rich @Joe_Rich

2 years ago

BREAKING - Labour Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson facing the sack over ‘abject chaos’ created by her disastrous and hasty plan to impose VAT on independent schools - as nursery schools and universities join the queue of professionals protesting #TomorrowsPapersToday

210 723 3K 186K 66

Agree. All children deserve to be respected.

Kirstie Allsopp @KirstieMAllsopp

2 years ago

This an appalling tweet from an education secretary, knocking independent schools is wrong @bphillipsonMP, should be caring for all educational establishments, imagine her saying this about faith schools, who exclude kids on the grounds of not being catholic, jewish or muslim

298 364 4K 345K 22

I should be speechless, but Bridget Phillipson seems to be doing it for us. ⁦⁦⁦@vicderbyshire⁩ ⁦@theJeremyVine⁩ ⁦@branwenjeffreys⁩ ⁦@bbclaurak⁩ telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/…

@Mofoman360 Nothing he has done has impressed me in any way (so far)

@bphillipsonMP What about the 7% of children who are now disaffected. This unjust tax on education is giving parents a month to give a terms notice to switch schools mid year to non-existent state school places. None in my immediate area. Where are they to go? Pure hatred towards children.

@PeterStefanovi2 Hunt is saying that either the Civil Service shared the wrong numbers previously or that the new Chancellor is misleading the House. How does this letter contradict Hunt's letter?