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Written Question
Private Education: Fees and Charges
Friday 7th November 2025

Asked by: Lord Lexden (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what is the total sum raised so far by the introduction of VAT on independent school fees, and how many extra teachers have been recruited as a result.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

HM Treasury published a Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) on applying VAT to independent school fees.

The TIIN estimates that, accounting for the spending implications of any pupil movement into the state sector, the policy is expected to raise £1.7 billion per annum by 2029/30.

Division Vote (Lords)
21 Oct 2025 - Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Lexden (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 167 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 270 Noes - 160
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 20 Oct 2025
Northern Ireland Troubles

"My Lords, I have one specific question in relation to the proposal in paragraph 6 of the joint framework to replace the existing Commissioner for Investigations with two co-directors for investigations, one of whom must have experience outside Northern Ireland. Is it envisaged that this appointment will go to someone …..."
Lord Lexden - View Speech

View all Lord Lexden (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles
Speech in Grand Committee - Thu 16 Oct 2025
Fracture Liaison Services

"My Lords, my noble friend Lord Black is, thankfully, a persistent person. The subject we are discussing today is one that he has brought before your Lordships with some frequency, through debates and Oral Questions. Those who suffer the pain and distress that osteoporosis brings have no more determined parliamentary …..."
Lord Lexden - View Speech

View all Lord Lexden (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Fracture Liaison Services
Division Vote (Lords)
14 Oct 2025 - Business of the House - View Vote Context
Lord Lexden (Con) voted Aye - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 183 Conservative Aye votes vs 0 Conservative No votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 211 Noes - 261
Scheduled Event - Monday 13th October - Add to calendar
View Source
Lords - Oral questions - Main Chamber
Money raised from the imposition of value added tax on school fees
MP: Lord Lexden
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 13 Oct 2025
School Fees: VAT

"My Lords, have the Government noted a recent detailed survey by the Independent Schools Council which shows that their appalling education tax is producing an exodus from independent schools eight times larger than Ministers predicted? Does it not follow that the Government will have to fund many extra places in …..."
Lord Lexden - View Speech

View all Lord Lexden (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: School Fees: VAT
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 13 Oct 2025
School Fees: VAT

"My Lords, in begging leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, I declare my interest as a former general secretary of the Independent Schools Council and the current president of one of its constituent bodies...."
Lord Lexden - View Speech

View all Lord Lexden (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: School Fees: VAT
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 13 Oct 2025
School Fees: VAT

"To ask His Majesty’s Government how much money has been raised from the imposition of value added tax on school fees...."
Lord Lexden - View Speech

View all Lord Lexden (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: School Fees: VAT
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 10 Sep 2025
Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

"My amendments are different from those of the noble Baroness, Lady Blackstone, and narrow in scope. I refer to my Amendments 429 and 433, which relate to independent schools and which I have brought forward in close association with my noble friend Lord Black of Brentwood, who is, like me, …..."
Lord Lexden - View Speech

View all Lord Lexden (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill