Private schools should be cheaper

Independent schools are an asset to the education system and they have been singled out by Labour for a tax rise which has as much to do with pressing the right buttons for the party faithful as it does with raising revenue. But really, those schools could do with better PR. Whoever thought it a good idea to suggest to the i newspaper that private schools will be putting plans for new swimming pools, astroturf pitches on hold, and doing away with frills like personalised ring binders, in reaction to the imposition of VAT on their fees? They have succeeded only in feeding education secretary Bridget Phillipson with an attack line. ‘Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery,’ she tweeted on Saturday. ‘Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our schools need careers advice more than private schools need astroturf pitches.’