When Suki Chandi’s son started at his local, state secondary school, she knew something was wrong.
The 53-year-old told i: “We’re based in east Surrey, and live in a rather affluent area. I sent my son to the local primary school, where the education was brilliant. I always had reservations about the state secondary school near us, but still sent him there. Sadly, he found it difficult to settle, despite being a very bright child. He was getting detentions every week, his personal life was tough at the time and there was little-to-no pastoral care.”
Knowing that her son was in desperate need of a change, she enrolled him into a private school – where his life changed.
“He joined his new school in Year 9, and its been incredible. The quality of education has been outstanding and he’s much happier.
“It has been a massive sacrifice on my part as I’m a single parent, despite it being one of the more affordable schools in the area. Sometimes, I dread to think how my son’s life would have been if he kept on going to his old school.”
Suki, who works as a digital analytics consultant, found out about Labour’s election pledge to introduce VAT on private school fees through a Whatsapp group-chat.
She told i: “I wasn’t aware of the announcement at first, but someone mentioned it on a chat. As a Labour supporter, I felt that it was quite galling to make such a promise to the electorate.
“There’s a blanket assumptions that people who send their kids to private schools are rich, which is why maybe Labour are targeting them. But there are parents like myself who have made sacrifices for our children’s future.
“I live in a flat and drive an old car. Issues like private schools can’t be dealt with a one-size-fits-all approach. The school fees and my mortgage are my two biggest outgoings. The fees keep increasing year on year, so with the VAT it will just get too much.”
When Suki’s son joined his new school, the monthly fees were £1,500 a month. Last year, they went up to £1,700 a month.
“If Labour introduce the VAT it could be nearly £2,000 a month which is a significant increase,” Suki said.
“At first, I thought that he could have finished school by the time Labour introduce the commitment, but at the same time, it could be done by the next tax year – which means the rise would be applicable to me.”
She added: “I’m in a fortunate position with regards to my career, but if I was in a salaried position I would have gone into debt to afford the fees. It’s a sacrifice I’m making for my son.”
While Suki has voted Labour in the past, the pledge to introduce VAT on private school fees has left her thinking.
She told i: “I’m not that political but come from a family of Labour supporters. I’ll never vote for the Conservatives, but think Keir Starmer is a wishy-washy man who isn’t powerful or strong enough to lead a government.
“I might vote for one of the underdogs. In a previous election I voted for the Liberal Democrats so could do that again. The pledge is one that will really affect me. At my son’s school, there are many parents who are feeling the cost-of-living crisis and are making sacrifices to afford the school fees.”
“Labour has made a massive clanger here”
The party’s commitment to introduce VAT on private school fees has left 48-year-old Thish de Zoysa less than impressed.
The entrepreneur, from London, told i that he thinks everything about the promise “seems politically motivated rather than economically beneficial.”
He said: “I have two children who are in private schools and pay around £20,000 a year for each of them in school fees. Lots of children in their schools have parents who are professionals such as doctors, lawyers and teachers – they’re not multi-millionaires.
“There’s this idea that if you spend money on flashy cars or luxury holidays then that’s fine – but choosing to invest in your children by sending them to private schools is frowned upon. There’s a perception of privilege when it comes to private schools.”
In his view, this pledge has the potential to deter potential Labour voters from voting for the party on 4 July.
Thish told i: “I just don’t think its thought out very well. Instead of gaining new voters, they’ve just shot themselves in the foot. People who voted Conservative in the past and were thinking of voting Labour may back out because of this.
“If Labour really wanted to raise money, why wouldn’t they introduce VAT on university fees? It would obviously be really unpopular. But why target private schools? Its really important to invest in the youth, and parents deciding to do that by sending their kids to private schools shouldn’t be frowned upon.
“This policy has the potential to impact smaller, independent schools and also neuro-divergent children who might not fit in the state school system. Rather than looking at ways to raise money, Labour should also focus on the efficiency of spending. It’s just frustrating to see education being used like a political football.”
Thish thinks that the pledge will make it harder for parents to send their children to private schools.
He said: “By putting it up by 20 per cent, you might be able to afford the fees of one kid, but two would be hard. I’m not going to take my kids out as I’ve made a commitment to keep them in private schools but not all parents will be able to do so.”
“I came to this country when I was five years old and went through the state system. I’ve seen both sides. My wife and I had a robust discussion on where to send our children and I’m happy she won.
For him, voting for Labour will be hard because of this pledge. He said: “I can’t vote Labour and won’t be alone in that – the chatter in WhatsApp groups are all the same. Labour have made a massive clanger here.”
