Etonian backs Starmer over 'absurd' charitable status for private schools

12 July 2022, 13:14

Etonian blasts Tories over 'absurd, subsidised' charitable status for private schools
The Etonian blasted the Tories for wanting people to "retain wealth" . Picture: Alamy

By Maddie Wilson

This LBC caller, who went to Eton, blasts the Government for allowing private schools to maintain a charitable status, branding it "absurd."

It comes as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer vows to end this categorisation for private schools should he become Prime Minister.

The current status means independent schools are exempt from VAT.

The Labour leader has previously said that he wants the money raised from charging private schools VAT, to help provide additional money to help state schools.

Sir Keir said: "Labour wants every parent to be able to send their child to a great state school. But improving them to benefit everyone costs money.

"That's why we can't justify continued charitable status for private schools."

Caller Jay from Winchester, whose parents spent £500,000 on his and his brother's education, urges that "of course" Eton should pay VAT.

"Yes they let the schools open in the summer for other children, yes they have some bursary scholarships, but to say that a large part of what they do is charity when they own huge swathes of London property portfolio...it's absurd."

He told LBC's Tom Swarbrick that his school has an art collection and also owns one of the 48 surviving copies of a Gutenberg Bible, estimated to be worth between £20 million and £30 million.

The caller continued: "If they're going to charge 20% more to parents to send their kids there, I don't want those parents to have to pay that, but if they're forking out, possibly as my parents did, £250,000 per child...it's just ugly, frightening amounts of money."

Despite attending Eton, Jay told LBC he is not intending to send his 2 year old to a private school, prioritising instead his child "learning social skills and kindness."

"There's a problem in this country where you get a lot of people at one end who say, and it's probably a frightening number of people, who say we should abolish private schools as they want a level playing field.

"You don't say everyone should drive the same car or be limited to what they buy, I think there should be a free market. The problem is at the other end of the spectrum, you get this nauseating view of people who think these types of schools are better.

"There are great states schools just like there are great private schools - the problem of course is the funding from the Government doesn't go into the majority of where people attend, which is the state schools.

"Ultimately, if money keeps being subsidised for people to go to more expensive schools, it will still retain this level of aspiration which the Tory Party trumpets as a reason to vote for them.

"The Tory Party create it as a fundamental right to want to have more money and to conserve your money...to keep hold of what you have."

More Tom Swarbrick

See more More Tom Swarbrick

Exclusive
Richard Tice thinks Reform "has the momentum" to challenge at the next election.

Reform deputy leader Richard Tice says 'hundreds of thousands' could lose jobs due to Labour's 'appalling' Budget

Exclusive
The terror watchdog was speaking to LBC's Tom Swarbrick

Terror watchdog warns hostile nations could use 'ordinary Brits' to 'carry out acts of sabotage'

Exclusive
Robert Jenrick Launches His Bid To Be The Next Conservative Party Leader

Social housing should be focused on ‘people who have been here for a long time’, Robert Jenrick tells LBC

Tom Swarbrick speak to Jonathan Dekel-Chen

Israeli hostage's father tells LBC Benjamin Netanyahu must 'negotiate with Satan' to bring hostages home

Exclusive
One child strip searched every 14 hours report reveals, as minister admits police searches 'taking place in chicken shops'

One child strip searched every 14 hours as commissioner says police searches 'taking place in chicken shops'

Nigel Farage waded into the row between Keir Starmer and Elon musk

'I pray he's wrong': Nigel Farage tells LBC following Elon Musk's claim 'civil war is inevitable' in Britain

Exclusive
Nigel Farage has refused to apologise after making the comments after the stabbing attack in Southport

Nigel Farage refuses to apologise over claims made about Southport attacker being known to police

Exclusive
Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has told LBC that courts could sit through the night to bring “speedy justice” to those taking part in violent demonstration

Courts could sit through night to bring 'speedy justice' to violent protesters, policing minister tells LBC

Exclusive
A sister has described the moment she punched a crocodile to save her sister.

'I wasn't going to leave her behind': Twin recalls punching crocodile to save sister

Exclusive
Susan Hall has dismissed Ed Miliband's claim that she would be an 'embarrassment' to Britain as the next London mayor.

Susan Hall dismisses as 'nonsense’ after Ed Miliband said she would be an ‘embarrassment’ as London Mayor

Exclusive
UK should prepare for 'something close to war', Nato's deputy tells LBC, amid warning members have 'neglected defence'

UK should prepare for 'something close to war', Nato's Deputy General tells LBC, as he warns Russia 'cannot be trusted'

Emma Webber (left) speaking to LBC

Mother of Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber blasts police ‘mistruths’ after force is put in special measures

Lord Harrington said there should be a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes.

Former refugees minister Lord Harrington calls for a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes

Mel Stride has backed the PM

Rishi Sunak has 'absolutely not' betrayed nation over Rwanda plan, insists minister after Braverman's attack on PM

Tom and caller

'Our family is there': Mother shares heartbreaking experience of being a British Jew during Israel-Hamas conflict

The ban will be brought into effect in months

'Children should be in the classroom to learn': Gillian Keegan orders 'blanket ban' of mobile phones in schools