Every KC Hired by Labour to Defend Its VAT Policy Went to Private School

Every KC Hired by Labour to Defend Its VAT Policy Went to Private School

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Dates have been set for a High Court challenge to Labour’s VAT on independent schools. A judicial review is being brought by seven families supported by the Independent Schools Council and represented by Kinglsey Napley. Filed before Christmas, multiple claims come on behalf of different groups and schools themselves…

High Court dates are from the 1st to 3rd of April. The claimants are arguing that the government is breaching the right to education as set out in the ECHR, and specifically that access is restricted to children with SEND, religious or philosophical education needs, and foreign nationals. Three judges are expected to hear this one – that’s rare…

Labour has hired not one, not two, but four KCs to defend its policy. Funnily enough, they all went to fee-paying schools:

• Sarah Hannett KC went to Millfield public school in Somerset. Millfield is campaigning against the VAT change by arguing that bursaries and scholarships will be cut to the detriment of GB global sporting potential. It is increasing its fees by 15% this year.
• Matrix Chambers’ Eleni Mitrophanous KC went to Channing School which has opposed the tax for years and raised fees by 13.9%
• Jason Pobjoy KC attended Eltham College, which has raised its fees by 21.3% on last year.
• James Eadie KC went to Radley school which has made representations to Labour against the tax and since hiked fees by 12.6%.

Seeing as the government continues to insist that fees will only rise by 10% as a result of its policy these lawyers will have a tough time if they attempt to cite their alma maters as anecdotal evidence. The battle is of the classroom and into the courtroom…