ISC CEO urges government to reconsider its approach to taxing SEND families and schools
Chief executive of the ISC Julie Robinson has responded to the news that some special schools will not be exempt from the government's plan to scrap business rates relief for independent education, despite a pledge to protect SEND provision.
James Murray told the House of Commons on Monday that independent SEND schools where at least half of pupils have an education, health and care plan (EHCP) specifying that their special educational needs “can be met only in a private school” will remain exempt from business rates under the new legislation. But the Treasury minister went on to acknowledge that not all independent SEND schools would meet this definition, and would therefore face business rates. This has prompted warnings of closures, higher costs for parents and a deepening SEND crisis.
Speaking to iNews, Ms Robinson said: “The government has conceded that some independent special schools will be affected by the choice to create a two-tier charity system. We are deeply concerned about the knock-on effect on SEND provision in the state system and on the young people whose education will be disrupted as a result of this policy. The government is levelling down in one area of SEND before it has levelled up elsewhere, with children as collateral damage. We urge the government to reconsider its approach to taxing SEND families and schools.”