Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill (Second sitting)

Navendu Mishra Excerpts

Committee stage
Wednesday 11th December 2024 Public Bill Committees

[The Chair]

We have until 3.40 pm, and I have seen six Members indicate they have questions.

[Navendu Mishra (Stockport) (Lab)]

Q I am grateful to panellists for being here and giving up their time. Private schools have had visibility of the Labour party policy on this matter for a long time. I wonder why the sector seems to be so unprepared for the changes in the light of the new Government coming in and delivering on their manifesto pledge.

Barnaby Lenon: Personally, I do not think they are particularly unprepared. As you say, we have had plenty of notice.

[Navendu Mishra]

Q They seem very surprised.

Barnaby Lenon: Well, they should not be surprised, because the Independent Schools Council and the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association—three of us on the panel—have been talking to schools for the past year and a bit. Schools have been receiving advice about how to prepare for it, particularly from David’s organisation. I do not think it is true to say that they have been taken by surprise. It is worth saying that they are charities—mostly small charities—which are operating on tight margins. They are not extravagant in the way they operate. They have found it difficult to know how to face 20% VAT. They have had plenty of notice, and the governing bodies of those schools are individually responsible for taking the actions that the sensible ones will be taking.

[Navendu Mishra]

I take your point that—

[The Chair]

Order. We have eight minutes for six people, so only one question each.