Possible podcast - Stop imposition of VAT on International school fees

A proposed tax on private school fees in the UK is causing concern and sparking a campaign led by parents at the Lycée and Arsenal de Londres Winston Churchill, a French international school in London. The tax could have implications for Anglo-French relations and the value of bilingual education. The parents are strategically targeting different stakeholders, including politicians and influential figures, to support their cause. They argue that the Lycée provides a specialized service and that the tax would harm French businesses and the economy. The parents are determined to fight the tax and are exploring various avenues to have it scrapped. The potential impact of the tax on families and the wider education system is a significant concern. The clock is ticking as the implementation date approaches, and if the exemption is not granted, schools may have to raise tuition fees, placing a heavy burden on families. All right, strap yourselves in for this deep dive, because we're tackling a story with international intrigue, political maneuvering, you name it. It's really quite a story, isn't it? It shows how one seemingly simple policy can have huge EE implications across borders, across sectors, it's fascinating. Absolutely, and get this, the heart of it all is a proposed tax on private school fees in the UK. Yeah, might not sound like the most riveting stuff, taxes, but trust me, this one's got layers. It does, it really does. We're talking about the Lycée and Arsenal de Londres Winston Churchill, a French international school in London, and they are right in the thick of it. We've got letters, news articles, even the whole petition circulating. It's like piecing together a puzzle, trying to figure out how this VAT might impact not just the school itself, but also Anglo-French relations. Even London standing as a global city is potentially on the line here. It really highlights how interconnected everything is. We're not just talking about parents worried about higher tuition. It's about the value of bilingual education, the pressures on families who are here from abroad, even potential diplomatic fallout between two countries. Wild, right. So let's break it down. The UK government is proposing this 20% VAT on private school fees. Yeah, for anyone who's not familiar with VAT, it's basically a tax on goods and services, a value-added tax. In a lot of countries, private school tuition is exempt from this, but the UK is looking to change that. And that's where the Lycée comes in. A lot of people see it as more than just your average private school. It provides that direct link to the French education system with a bilingual curriculum you wouldn't find in a standard UK state school. It's a huge e-draw for a lot of families, especially French expats who want their kids to have that connection to their language and culture. Absolutely, and a lot of these families, they're only in London temporarily for work. So they're already paying taxes back home in France. This VAT feels like a double whammy, you know? Especially since the Lycée is a non-profit. They put every penny back into the school. It's not like someone's getting rich off this. Exactly, and you can really feel that frustration in one of the letters we have from a parent named Hormoz Porcabous. Oh, absolutely. He wrote to his MP, Georgia Gould, really laying out the potential fallout from this VAT. And what's his main argument there? Well, he argues that the Lycée, with this unique bilingual program, it doesn't just benefit the French community. It benefits the UK as a whole. It fosters cultural diversity, creates a globally competitive workforce. Right, it's a win-win in theory. Exactly. So we've got parents who are obviously very concerned, worried about affordability, questioning the fairness of this whole thing, especially given the non-profit status of the school. So what happens next? They don't just sit back and take it, do they? Oh, no, not at all. These parents are incredibly proactive, I'd even say strategic, in how they respond. They launch this multi-pronged campaign, targeting different groups, different stakeholders, with really carefully crafted messages. Ooh, okay, now it's getting juicy. Give me the rundown. What kind of campaign are we talking about? Well, first they realize, to get anywhere, they need to think bigger than just their school. So they reach out to the agency of French schools abroad, basically, trying to get everyone on the same page, suggesting a joint statement from all the UK schools under the AEF umbrella. So strengths in numbers. Exactly. Amplify their message. And they showcase that this is a concern across the French education system here in the UK. Okay, smart move. But they don't stop there, do they? It's not just about the French community anymore, is it? No, they realize they need to win over public opinion as well. So what do they do? They write to Le Figaro. Le Figaro, for those of us who don't speak French. Oh, sorry, it's a major French publication. And in that letter, they highlight how this VAT could really harm French businesses operating in the UK, not just families. Oh, now that is thinking ahead. They're making that connection between education and the economy. Absolutely. Which is smart, because now you're pulling in a whole other group of people who might have a vested interest in this whole VAT debate. It's a brilliant tactic. Because by framing it in the context of Anglo-French relations, suddenly it's not just a local school funding issue, it's an issue of international importance. They're playing 4-D chess while the government's still setting up the board. What I love about this is they're not just complaining, they're offering solutions, building alliances, really using their resources to be heard. Makes you wonder, who else did they reach out to? And more importantly, is it working? It's like they're saying, hey, this isn't just a French school problem, this is a you problem too. So smart, really broadens the impact. Exactly, and they don't stop there. They even reach out to Sadiq Khan himself. The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, bold move. They write to him, reminding him of his stance on VAT. When he was opposed to it for things like tourist shopping. Oh, interesting. So they're calling him out a bit, saying, if you're against VAT hurting tourism, shouldn't you be against it hurting education and international business too? Exactly. I love it, they're really taking this fight to the top. But realistically, can a group of parents actually change the government's mind? What are the chances they actually get this VAT scrapped? It is a tough hill to climb, but they've gotten further than many would have thought, that's for sure. True, they've gotten some big names on their side, gotten the media talking, and really framed this issue in a way that resonates beyond just the laissez. It's a real David versus Goliath situation. It is. But this David came prepared. They are strategic, resourceful, and they are not giving up. What's amazing to me is how what started as this local issue has blown up into this much bigger conversation about education, the economy, even international relations. And as we'll see, it even sparks debate about what specialist provision actually means. Oh, absolutely, that's a key point in all of this. So they're not just fighting for their own kids' education, they could end up impacting the whole system. Exactly. And they've got some powerful allies starting to line up behind them. Okay, tell me more about that. Who else are they working with? Well, remember we talked about targeting different stakeholders. Right, smart strategy. Well, they set their sights on some very influential people in UK politics. Like who? They reach out to Barry Gardner, a member of parliament. Okay, and why Barry Gardner? Well, he's been pretty vocal in his support for bilingual education. Ah, I see, so they're strategically targeting people who already sympathize with their cause. Exactly. Gardner was already lobbying for exemptions for bilingual schools from this VAT. He's been arguing that they offer a specialized service. So they found someone who gets it, who's already in their corner. But how much influence can one MP really have on something like this? Well, every voice counts, right? But their next move, that's when things get really interesting. They managed to get the attention of Helene Duchesne herself. Hold on, Helene Duchesne as in? The French ambassador to the UK. Wow, they got the French ambassador involved. This is getting serious. She's expressed concerns about the VAT, echoing what the parents have been saying about the potential impact on French businesses. And on the Anglo-French relationship, right? So it's not just about school fees anymore, it's about international diplomacy. I bet the UK government was not expecting this. It definitely adds a whole other dimension to the issue. And the parents are smart to leverage that. They write to the French Chamber of Commerce here in the UK. Okay, keeping that economic angle going, I see. Exactly, they emphasize how this VAT could discourage French companies from investing here in London. All right, Duke divers, we are back and more fired up than ever to finish unpacking this VAT debate. We've seen how these parents have been mobilizing support, engaging with politicians, even sparking these international conversations. It's been wild. But the clock is ticking, isn't it? That January 2025 VAT implementation date is fast approaching. It is, and that's where the tension really ramps up. The government's in a tricky position having to weigh these different priorities. It's a tough spot to be in, for sure. So what happens if, let's say, the life say doesn't get this exemption? Are they really gonna hike up tuition? What would that even mean for these families? Well, some schools might try to absorb the cost, at least temporarily, dip into their reserves, maybe cut back in other areas. But for many, passing the cost onto parents through higher fees, it seems almost unavoidable. And that's where it's not just about numbers on a spreadsheet anymore, is it? We're talking about real families having to make really difficult choices. Exactly, imagine being a parent at the life say. You're already stretching your budget to provide this education for your child, and suddenly, bam, you're hit with a 20% fee increase on top of everything else. What do you do? Right, it's a huge burden to bear. Some families, they might have no choice but to relocate, pull their kids out of school, disrupt their whole lives, potentially hurting the very businesses that brought them to the UK in the first place. It's that ripple effect we talked about earlier, but now it's hitting families right where it hurts. And even for those who stay, but can no longer afford the life say, where do they go? They might end up putting their kids into an already strained state school system. It's a lose-lose situation. It really does feel that way, doesn't it? And at the heart of it all, it seems like it comes down to this question of specialist provision that we've been mentioning. Is bilingual education truly specialized? Are these international schools fundamentally different from other private schools? Right, that's the million dollar question. And how the government defines specialist provision, it's gonna have huge implications, not just for the life say, but for other international schools, bilingual schools across the UK. If the life say wins this exemption, could that open the floodgates for others to follow suit? It could set a precedent, absolutely. It's really a fascinating case study. It is, it really is. The power of grassroots activism, the complexities of international relations, the unintended consequences of policy decisions. This one story really highlights so much. What it shows, I think, is that even issues that seem contained, very local, they can have these global implications. It's all connected. Taxation, education, diplomacy, economic competitiveness, it's all intertwined. And it's often these really focused stories, like these parents fighting for their kids' education, that help us see those connections more clearly. It reminds us that staying informed, staying engaged, it's crucial. You never know when a local issue might become a global headline. Couldn't have said it better myself. And that, my friends, is what we're all about here at the Deep Dive. We take these complex issues, break them down, help you connect the dots and see that bigger picture. It's all about asking questions and getting to the bottom of things. Exactly. Thanks for joining us on this Deep Dive, everyone. We'll be back next week with another fascinating topic, another opportunity to flex those curiosity muscles. Until then, stay curious.