Depends on who you are? If you're not one of the small % with children attending private school then all you'll get is money back (assuming that the pledge is funded as intended).

It is utterly bizarre that private schools are exempt from VAT. It cannot be justified ideologically.*

And there is *some* evidence that universal provision of free school meals can lead to an overall improvement in standards. There appears to be some debate at the moment about the exact magnitude of that improvement and whether the studies were reasonable for extrapolation. I guess more research is needed.

But the worst that would happen would be a tax break largely for the very rich would be taken away (VAT exemption leading to a reduction in fees) and replaced with a benefit mostly given to the middle class (FSM). So that doesn't seem a particularly bad thing.

*Having said that it would be interesting to see the projections for the number who are likely to leave the private school system and the costs associated with that for the state. I've not seen the numbers touted by the Head of the Private School Association this morning about 20% being from families with less than £50k but I would think it is very unlikely. Even if the average fees are £10k (which is the lower end of the scale) then the vast majority of those on under £50k a year would find that completely unaffordable. So it suggests that actually they are on bursaries/scholarships - which would mean they wouldn't be affected by increases in fees to the same extent?

Edited by OknotOK (06 Apr 2017 2.51pm)

"It's almost like a moral decision. Except not really cos noone is going to find out," Jez, Peep Show

I don't think private schools should get tax breaks. I don't think charities should get tax breaks. I don't think all primary school children should get free dinners.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]

I agree with you that any system will have winners and losers....Yep.

However what is not ok is when the system is rigged so that some are unfairly advantaged to be winners over the rest.

The state should ensure that all children have equality of opportunity.

Equality of outcome is wrong but equality of opportunity should be fought for tooth and nail.

Edited by Stirlingsays (06 Apr 2017 3.16pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Have you read Animal Farm?

House of Commons Library research estimates that free school meals for all primary school children would cost between £700 million and £900 million
Introducing VAT on private school fees would raise £1.5 billion a year – more than enough to cover the expected cost of the meals.

A more sensible option would be for all the MP's and Peers to pay true costs in the subsidised restaurants and bars in the Parliament Buildings.....

that'll fund a good few school meals for the needy and let the Politian's lead by example.

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers