Wes Streeting tells private schools to ‘cut cloth like state schools’ over VAT worries

Wes Streeting tells private schools to 'cut cloth like state schools' over VAT worriesGlobal Player, LBC

Transcript

00:00Let me just put a challenge back to the independent school sector as well.

00:04They say that charging VAT on school fees will price people out and all the rest of it.

00:11I'm focusing on SEND children.

00:14But I would just say to independent schools, you have hiked your fees up with inflation

00:20busting increases year after year after year since 2010 and now you're pleading poverty.

00:25If you're worried about whether children in your schools will continue to access your schools,

00:29you'll have to cut your cloth in the way that state schools have had to do.

00:33It is SEND children that I'd like to focus on.

00:35Isn't there a real danger this could have a knock-on effect to you

00:37and your colleagues in the health department

00:39when a time when mental health services are so stretched?

00:41If we have a high number of children now not able to receive the special tuition?

00:46Firstly, I'd say the statemented route is available to children and young people

00:50and their parents in that situation.

00:51I'd also say to independent schools, they have the means.

00:55They have hiked up their fees with inflation busting increases for well over a decade

01:00and I'm sure they can take steps to mitigate against children being forced to drop out.