🇬🇧 Andy Burnham
Andy Burnham government could be forced to scrap new rules for some schools
What happened
Labour leader Andy Burnham's promise to explore deeper ties with the European Union may require the UK to follow EU rules on tax, which prohibit levying VAT on education. This would mean exempting private school fees from VAT. Labour's current VAT policy on private school fees may be impossible to maintain if the UK rejoins the EU. Officials are said to be "totally reeling" from the news, indicating a lack of preparation.
Why it matters
The UK's potential return to the EU could have significant implications for education policy, with the government's VAT policy on private schools at risk of being scrapped. The change could also have broader implications for the UK's economic relationship with the EU. The public's views on rejoining the EU are divided, with a recent poll showing 59% of Britons in favour.
Key facts
- Labour leader Andy Burnham's EU promise may require the UK to follow EU tax rules
- EU states must exempt education from VAT
- Officials are said to be "totally reeling" from the news
Topics
Publisher evidence used
Reporting attributed to birminghammail.co.uk. WorldLeadersNews links readers to the publisher and does not present a headline-only item as a full article analysis.
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