MARK Manwaring-White, 67, had been planning to retire, but a policy introduced by the Labour government could increase his daughter's school fees by 20 per cent. As a result, he will keep working to cover the costs.
The Labour government's removal of tax exemptions for private schools, effective from January, is part of Keir Starmer's strategy to raise funds for public services and address the country's financial shortfall. However, this policy comes with political risks.
Manwaring-White's daughter attends Malvern St James, a girls-only private school in central England. As an electronics engineer, he believes Labour's decision stems from envy towards those who can afford private education, which he considers of higher quality. For him, the sacrifice is worth it. "It's given her a most amazing education that she couldn't have got locally," he said. He also expressed concerns that pushing more children into state education would "dumb down society."
About 600,000 pupils attending private schools now face a similar decision – either pay higher fees or consider state schools for their children.
The government estimates that removing the VAT exemption will generate up to £1.5 billion annually, funding 6,500 new state school teachers and increasing the state school budget by 2 per cent.
Labour argues that this move will help address the gap between private and state education, a system criticised for fostering privilege among the wealthy.
However, critics warn of a possible exodus of students from private to state schools, putting further strain on the state system.
In a pre-election debate, Starmer said, "I want every single child, wherever they come from, whatever their background, and whichever school they go to, to have the same opportunities."
Labour believes the impact on private school enrolment will be minimal, as stated in a government blog in September. A poll by Ipsos in August showed that more than half of Britons support the plan.
(Reuters)
Davindra and Seema Misra, and Vijay and Gita Parekh
Varchas Patel with his father Vipin and mother Jayshriben
Hasmukh Shingadia and his wife Chandrika were all victims of the Horizon scandal
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)