Whilst recognising the need to generate additional funds and agreeing with the proposal to implement a staggered approach, we do not believe that it is appropriate or fair to do so by only raising fees for schools in the independent sector. Such a move does not appear to have a clear rationale, risks adding financial pressures to schools already struggling to cope with the impact which the imposition of VAT on fees, loss of business rate relief has already had, on top of the increase in NI employer contributions.

In addition, as many of the schools likely to be affected are independent faith schools or specialist schools meeting the needs of young people with extreme SEND issues, this proposal risks having an undesirable equalities impact.

Full response to consultation