from Religion Media Centre
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has granted permission for a group of independent Christian schools, parents and pupils to appeal the Government’s decision to impose VAT on independent school fees.
The case is supported by the Christian Legal Centre and brought by independent Christian schools across the UK, arguing that the policy “disproportionately impacts Christian schools and the families who choose them, particularly those of modest means”.
Central to the case is whether the Government’s policy strikes a fair balance between its stated objectives and the real-world consequences including financial strain on families, disruption to children’s education, and risks to the viability of schools.
The Independent Schools Council (ISC) says independent schools have lost about 30,000 pupils since VAT was added to fees in January 2025, a larger decline than ministers originally forecast.