Independent School Fees: VAT

Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Lexden

Thursday 13th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Lexden]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the results of imposing value added tax on independent school fees on 1 January.

[The Lord Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith)]

My Lords, before I call the noble Lord, Lord Lexden, for the third Oral Question, I should remind noble Lords that there are active legal proceedings relating to the policy of applying VAT to private schools. Part of my role is to decide whether, in specific circumstances, it is appropriate to waive the application of the sub judice rule, under which we do not debate matters before the courts. In view of the national importance of this issue, I have decided to grant a waiver of the rule to allow reference to this matter on an ongoing basis. It is relevant to my decision that a similar waiver has been issued in the House of Commons.

[Lord Lexden (Con)]

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper and declare my interest as president of the Independent Schools Association, whose 700 members—mainly small schools—are now at serious risk of damage or closure.

Procedure and Privileges Committee

Debate between Lord McFall of Alcluith and Lord Lexden

Thursday 22nd October 2020 Lords Chamber

[Lord McAvoy (Lab)]

My Lords, I am sure that the whole House will pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord McFall, for the work that he has put in and the very many suggestions that he has made. I am sure the whole House will support them. However, there is one issue that has arisen; it is entirely due to the situation we find ourselves in with the coronavirus and is no reflection on the House or the noble Lord. Recently, people have sometimes been scheduled to be in two places at the same time—for a Grand Committee debate and also on the Floor of the House. Will the noble Lord look at that and see whether there is a reasonable alternative to the current situation?

[The Deputy Speaker (Lord Lexden) (Con)]

If no one else in the Chamber wishes to speak, I call the Senior Deputy Speaker to reply.

[The Senior Deputy Speaker (Lord McFall of Alcluith) [V]]

I thank the noble Lord, Lord McAvoy, for his remarks and I will most certainly look into this issue which has arisen subsequent to our proposals for changes. I will consult with the usual channels, including himself, and I hope we can get a remedy to the legitimate problem he has earmarked.