Lord Lingfield

The M25 between Godstone and Sevenoaks is currently subject to a 50mph speed limit whilst new stopped vehicle detection (SVD) technology is tested. Normal operations (variable mandatory speed limits up to the national speed limit) will be reinstated once the tests are complete. National Highways expects this to be before the end of May 2025 but is working hard to improve on this.

On 29 July, the Government announced that, as of 1 January 2025, all education services and vocational training provided by a private school, including independent special schools, in the UK for a charge will be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20 per cent. This will also apply to boarding services provided by private schools.

This change will not impact pupils with the most acute additional needs, where these can only be met in private schools. Where a Local Authority (LAs) funds a pupil’s place in a private school because their needs can only be met in a private school, LAs will be able to reclaim the VAT on the fees from HMRC. In Northern Ireland, it will be the Education Authority who fund placements in private schools and will be able to reclaim the VAT.