Here's proof that Labour's private school tax raid was never about money
The Telegraph recently revealed that Britain's top 50 independent schools held £515m in advance fees last year, up from £121m in 2023. This potentially avoids more than £100m in VAT.
There are over 2,600 independent schools in the UK, of which 1,423 are members of the Independent Schools Council (ISC). In January, 582,477 pupils attended independent schools in England. The Telegraph figures thus cover just 2pc of all fee-paying establishments.
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The Guardian
28 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Dining across the divide: ‘I expected to be portrayed as an old gammon and paired up with some radical with coloured hair'
Occupation Works in software Voting record Cushla, who came to the UK from New Zealand in 1999, voted Labour in the last election. Describes herself as centre-left Amuse bouche Was the singer in a band in the 90s. She describes them as 'Enigma remixed by Einstürzende Neubauten' Occupation Retired photographer Voting record Reform in the last election, probably Reform in the next. Describes himself as right-of-centre Amuse bouche Martin once told the then Prince Charles an anecdote about an encounter with Liam Gallagher in a nightclub toilet. The future king was 'completely bemused' Martin I was expecting the Guardian to portray me as an old gammon and pair me up with some radical with coloured hair. Then she walked through the door with blue hair, which was rather amusing! She was lovely from the outset – friendly and interesting. We started with some shredded prawn rolls and deep-fried lotus root. Cushla We were both a little wary. I decided to set him at ease by saying: 'Don't worry, my partner voted for Brexit.' He said: 'Why are you here, then? You dine across the divide every evening!' I was expecting a grumpy old man. You can create a two-dimensional stereotype in your brain, and Martin wasn't that. The place was lovely. Martin I have seen a significant change in crime and general disorder even in the last couple of years – people jumping the barriers in the tube, shoplifting, phone-snatching, seemingly without repercussions. To get a grip on crime, you need to start tackling it at the lower level, otherwise people start thinking they can get away with it. Cushla Martin is training to become a magistrate and talked about his experience of watching people come in and out of court. I think he's far more in favour of imprisonment. I countered by saying: let's look at doing more restorative justice – giving offenders the chance to really encounter the impact of their crimes. Martin Some people who break the law, generally more white-collar criminals, are not best served by prison. But for severe crimes – violent, sexual – I think people should be kept in a lot longer than they are, away from society. It requires more cross-party planning, though. Investing in a prison is a 10- or 15-year project; governments don't want to put money into that because they'll be out of power by the time the prison is built. Cushla I think I would be a different kind of magistrate, but I say that from a position of hopeful naivety. I know the justice system is broken, that there is insufficient money. Martin We shared how much we despised the Tory government after 14 years of incompetence and were incredulous that the Labour party think the way to make things better is to cut disability payments and not revoke the two-child benefit cap. Cushla It surprised me that we agreed that the cap should be removed. When you're poor, you're poor, and the early stages are when the most good – and most damage – can be done. Martin Governments across all political parties have consistently promised to tackle illegal immigration and completely failed to do so. It's a cliche, but you're letting people into your house without knowing who they are. I'd favour some kind of holding and assessment system – more like the solution Australia came up with where they housed everyone on an island while they processed their applications and determined who should be let in and who shouldn't. Cushla I'm frustrated by the tag 'illegal'. People are not born 'illegal'; we're creating the conditions for them to become so. I came here on an ancestry visa so I am 'legal' by an accident of birth. What makes my accident of birth any better or worse than someone else's? And given the UK's history in the world, the UK does actually have a very particular moral obligation, whether it likes it or not. Martin It was great to meet someone with different views but also to be able to have a conversation, rather than just throw opinions at each other. I think it's society that demands we take extreme positions, and really, we're not far away from each other in what we think. Cushla When people think differently you don't tend to hear why or get the opportunity to actually challenge your own thinking. What this has taught me is you have to listen to rather than talk. Additional reporting: Kitty Drake Cushla and Martin ate at Xi Home Dumplings Bay in London E1 Want to meet someone from across the divide? Find out how to take part
BreakingNews.ie
28 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Woman (74) arrested in Belfast for wearing Palestine Action T-shirt released
A 74-year-old woman who was arrested for wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt in Belfast has been released. The woman was arrested at a protest in Belfast on Saturday. Advertisement Police said she was arrested on suspicion of possession of an article that indicates support for a proscribed organisation in the Linenhall Street area of Belfast. It comes after the British government in July made expressing support for, or being a member of, Palestine Action a criminal offence under terrorism legislation. In London, some 466 people were arrested for supporting the banned group after protesters gathered in Parliament Square on Saturday. In Belfast, videos shared online show a woman wearing a Palestine Action T-shirt being told by police officers she was being arrested on suspicion of 'possessing an article, namely a sign or T-shirt, that indicates support for Palestine Action'. Advertisement Northern Ireland director of Amnesty International, Patrick Corrigan, criticised the protester's arrest as 'outrageous'. 'Peaceful protest is a basic human right,' he said.
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Improvements made to sustainable travel options in Penzance
More work as part of a scheme designed to transform travel in Penzance has been Sustainable Transport Network (PSTN) said access for walkers and cyclists had been improved at Causewayhead and the entrance to the town had been made more attractive.A PSTN spokesperson said two new puffin crossings had been installed at Bowling Green and Newlyn Green and a vehicle-activated 20mph sign had been introduced to help reduce speeds. PSTN received £3.5m from the Town Deal programme, run by the government, and £3m from Cornwall Council. Chair of the Penzance Town Deal board Martin Tucker said: "Through the Penzance Town Deal and our Sustainable Travel Programme, we're investing in a town centre that works better for everyone: residents, businesses and visitors."Previously there were no pedestrian crossings on New Road that directly linked to Newlyn Causewayhead the existing footway has been extended, new paving has been laid, the existing zebra crossing on St Clare Street has been improved and a raised table pedestrian crossing introduced where Causewayhead meets Clarence existing zebra crossing on Taroveor Road has been replaced with an uncontrolled 'build out' crossing point which is designed to reduce crossing distance for carriageway has been resurfaced and new landscaping and street furniture, including benches and bicycle stands, have been introduced in pedestrian areas. The PSTN spokesperson said work on the Ponsandane Cycle Hub, the bus station and Branwells Gyratory was expected to start in September. Penzance Town Deal Board, in partnership with Cornwall Council, said it successfully bid for £21.5m to support a range of projects that would contribute to the regeneration of the town and boost the local economy.
