Privately-run schools are companies, not charities. Why are we letting them keep our tax money?

Last Updated: December 17, 2016By

Why are we still pretending that private schools are charities? [Image: Alamy]

This is what happens when ordinary people vote for a Conservative Government.

The tax money that would otherwise be used to provide the services ordinary people need – an up-to-date, efficient National Health Service, cheap accommodation, social care – is instead given away to the already-rich.

A fine example is the series of tax breaks provided to privately-owned schools – profit-driven companies that pretend to be charities.

They should have lost any tax privileges under a Labour government, but have been allowed to get away with the lie until now.

How long will the privileged be allowed to line their pockets while the poor are told there is no money available?

In Britain today there are hundreds of private clubs. They are often blessed with manicured lawns, sumptuous historic buildings and state-of-the-art sports and entertainment facilities for the enjoyment of members. Many offer expensive activities such as golf, shooting and horse-riding.

And who benefits from these impressively well-appointed institutions? “The very wealthiest families in the world,” concedes a manager of one.

And yet these private clubs are designated as charities and benefit from significant tax breaks. They pay little VAT on some of the services they buy, and no corporation tax on their financial surpluses. They can also slash their business property rates bill by up to 80 per cent.

If these institutions paid tax in the manner of other private firms the Treasury’s coffers would be swelled by an estimated £100m a year. Add in the business rates exemption and the annual tax break is closer in value to £250m.

And yet the crusaders against charity excess from the fourth estate have been strangely silent on this scandal. Perhaps it’s because these institutions in question are known as “independent schools”.

And unlike the right-wing media’s usual targets, these charities do not provide help to the poor and afflicted but instead service the offspring of the world’s global elite.

Source: Private schools catering to the global elite are spending lavishly because of their huge UK tax breaks – it has to stop

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5 Comments

  1. Jt Zoonie December 17, 2016 at 11:06 pm - Reply

    Leicestershire partnership NHS trust is a private run company. The lowest performance in the UK. Yet had Anthony sheeHan who worked in conservative government as CEO. Anthony also devised the mental health stuff for government. He has also put in a request to Google to be forgot.

  2. NMac December 18, 2016 at 9:58 am - Reply

    I’ve never understood why these places should be classed as charities (other than the fact it is yet another State subsidy for the wealthy), nor why they are referred to as “public schools”, when clearly they are private institutions with access to only the privileged few.

  3. Dez December 18, 2016 at 10:53 am - Reply

    Nothing new there….the Elite benefitting from having their favourite watering holes subsidised by the plebs and keeping their membership better than reasonable. Yup all needs flushing and sorting out having taking the system for a ride for to long.

  4. casalealex December 18, 2016 at 9:53 pm - Reply

    “Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.” ― Mark Twain

  5. Darren Woodiwiss December 19, 2016 at 12:52 pm - Reply

    And by this definition they are also excluded from the business rate rises if they have solar panels on their roof.

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