V.A.T, in school fees

Terribull some of my memories were of vile school dinners and being forced to eat everything.
I don't suppose that happens these days and there will probably be a lot of waste.

VAT is often not a problem in state schools at all. The teachers who constantly buy supplementary supplies for their classes simply pay any necessary VAT in WH Smith (other stationers are available) shoulder that burden and get on with the job.

Meant to add- consequently I think free meals for all children a waste of money when schools have a budget crisis and are having to get rid of teachers.

There seems to be a supposition that all children want school meals, I didn't or the damn school milk for that matter, both were mandatory at the time. My children had the choice but often opted for packed lunches, they always had a cooked meal when they came home. My granddaughter has them and if she comes to ours as she occasionally does after school, I ask her what she had for lunch so I don't replicate it when I give her dinner, but she can't always remember, at least it hadn't made her sick. I'm all for free school meals and breakfast clubs being provided for children who need them and don't begrudge that at all. I don't see why they should be "free for all" if the parents have sufficient income. I think children should be asked whether they want to have them or not though. My nightmares about school dinners were an ever present part of my childhood, and I wouldn't say I was a fussy eater. I'm not sure what I think about Jeremy Corbyn's suggestion, some parents do scrimp and save to send their children to private school.

At my DGDs state primary in an inner London borough all the kids get a free meal. However, they both declare them "disgusting", you have to queue for ages by which time it's cold. Consequently they take take a packed lunch

In terms of the principle of this policy - it seems as if the Labour Party is reverting to the old "politics of envy" and "hit the rich" - what a shame - it's so divisive.
In practical terms - I wonder whether they've thought it through and done a proper cost:benefit analysis? I.E. The VAT raised is supposed to cover the cost of the meals - so - What will be the total cost of these free meals? How many children are estimated to return to state education because of the 20% VAT and how much will that cost the state sector? How much VAT will be raised? Will it apply to zero-rated or to exempt institutions or to both? Will it be extended to include Universities & Colleges since they charge for tuition? VAT is a very complex tax - here is a link to a short explanation:
www.kingstonsmith.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Education+update_VAT+for+schools.pdf
We are facing big challenges ahead and the LP are troubling themselves with trivialities.

Totally agree with your post Ginny

It shouldn't be trisher .

I'm not using the education service at all now, my children are adults, should I then not pay tax? I pay tax on the things I purchase like anyone else. If I have my roof fixed I pay VAT on it. Why should private education be VAT free it's a service like anything else.

People who send their children probably pay taxes just like the rest of us. They are not using their 'share' of the education budget. I don't see why they should also have to pay for meals for other people's children. I am happy for those who really cannot afford school meals to have a free one but not everyone.

I think the main reason that private education is zero vat rated is to keep those who choose (and can afford) to go down that route happy. Jayanna9040 there is also a case to argue (not by me) that those who pay for private education are effectively saving the cost of educating their children via the LEA.

Service not article. How did spell checker convert that!!!!

Don't know about the free school meals it but am surprised that VAT isn't charged on school fees. It's a article like any other service surely? Would be interested in a logical argument why not. Anybody? (Um, don't consider we couldn't afford it to be a logical argument )

Will send you a PM River

I'm sorry but not eating meals out or having a holiday is not my idea of a "sacrifice" rafichagran so we will have to agree to disagree

School dinners are definitely not good value at my DGC's school Jalima1108 as I said in an earlier post sometimes there is nothing left when my eldest (yr 6) goes in for her lunch. Still has to be paid for though.

gilly regarding your DGD - have you looked into Free Schools in your region? They are outside the control of the Local Authority - whether you agree with that concept is a different matter.

www.gov.uk/types-of-school/free-schools

Someone correct me please but aren't all primary children given free school meals in R class and yrs 1 yrs 2
Only in England ninathenana

I do remember there being much on the local news about some primary schools having to build kitchens, find local sources of cooked meals - sometimes the local pub - in order to fulfil the requirements to provide children with a proper school lunch. It did seem to be an ill-thought out idea, a policy designed to appeal to some voters which resulted in problems for schools without kitchens and a two-tier system in primary schools.

However, a properly funded and subsidised school meal system would be a good thing imo.

I agree with gillybob that perhaps a more simple way of saving money would be to ditch the "free" schools agenda which appears to be very expensive and wide open to corruption and mismanagement.

As I understand it, VAT is paid on most goods and services. Presumably private schools are providing a service and therefore I can't see why VAT isn't levied on school fees.

I also think private schools should no longer receive charitable status.

Gillybob Not dramatic at all, yes there would be sacrifices, no car, no eating out, no holidays. I would be willing to do that. My ex husband and I worked very long hours and as far as that's concerned it gives me choices and to make a sacrifice would be my choice.

When the DGD tell us what they have had for 'paid for' school dinners it sometimes sounds less than nutritious or worth the money.
One day it was a filled baguette which DIL said she could have made herself!

They get free meals up to and including year 2 Jalima1108 I think it was a Lib Dem policy during the time of the coalition government.

Are children in England receiving free school meals at primary age now? How are they being funded?

I do feel that people who pay for private education for their children are also helping to fund state schools as well - both through the tax they pay on income and by the fact that they are not using the available school places for their children.

Welsh school children don't get free lunches at any age unless they qualify for them.

Yes I would have made the sacrifice

How very dramatic rafichagran

I HATE the school that the LEA have insisted my poor DGD has to go to. It's a rubbish school. Plus its 2 buses away from home. But you know what? Short of winning the lottery (or a minor miracle) she WILL HAVE TO GO THERE as no matter what "sacrifice" we make, we could not afford the fees to go private. Most working class people who do not have the money to pay for private education.

We couldn't send our children to private schools even if we did not eat. It's not a case of giving up a holiday or not getting that new BMW.

I chose to send my children to state schools because I had a good Grammar School in my area, however as both my then husband and I worked full time ,and If I did not like the Schools in my area I would have taken the private route. Yes I would have made the sacrifice.

Norah, I have struggled to pay fir my three grandchildren to have tuition, vat added would mean I couldn't afford the fees.