We are proud to represent an area with a vibrant French community and we know that many families in the area rely on schools that are part-funded by the French Government. As it stands, these schools will be included in the UK Government’s plans to apply VAT to fee-paying schools.
To be clear, we oppose the Government’s plans to apply VAT to any fee-paying school, not least because it interferes with families’ personal choices and would make us an outlier amongst European countries in taxing education. Even setting aside our general disagreement with this policy, we still do not believe VAT should be levied on international schools. Because these are not tuition fees in the traditional sense, but simply contributions to help cover the additional costs needed to deliver this education in the UK, it is simply inappropriate for VAT to be levied.
As your ward councillors, we have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Education explaining the impact this will have on our community and asking them to exempt international schools from VAT. We have also written to the Cabinet Member for Children on Wandsworth Council asking her to assess the impact locally of this policy so that the Council can advocate for local families on this issue.
The French community in the UK brings a great deal to our country, not just in terms of cultural diversity and a strengthening of the bond with one of our closest allies, but also to our economy. As we see on a daily basis, the availability of French education in London helps to ensure that we remain a global hub for talent as parents have the reassurance of knowing that their children will have access to their domestic curriculum. Current estimates suggest that the parents of 25-30% of pupils enrolled in French schools will struggle to cope with increased fees in January.
We want to make clear to all levels of government the strength of feeling in our community on this issue. Please sign our petition asking the Labour Government to think again at the link below, or by scanning the QR code with your phone.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Tom Pridham
Cllr Jonathan Cook