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Private school business rate relief warning from Labour | Private school business rate relief warning from Labour |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Independent schools could lose millions in business rate relief under a Labour government unless they worked more closely with state schools. | Independent schools could lose millions in business rate relief under a Labour government unless they worked more closely with state schools. |
Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt says many private schools are not doing enough to earn this "subsidy". | Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt says many private schools are not doing enough to earn this "subsidy". |
Private schools would be asked to help state schools by lending teaching staff and helping with university admissions. | Private schools would be asked to help state schools by lending teaching staff and helping with university admissions. |
The Independent Schools Council says 90% of its schools already work in close partnership with state schools. | The Independent Schools Council says 90% of its schools already work in close partnership with state schools. |
Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4's Today programme there was an "unedifying divide" between state and private schools in areas such as sport and drama. | |
He said: "What we want is really effective interaction between the private and state sector in order to spread opportunity and to ensure social mobility grows in this country." | |
Mr Hunt will say in a speech at an academy in Walthamstow, east London, that the country needs to be be "equal" if it is to "prosper". | |
'Resounding no' | 'Resounding no' |
"If we are to make the most of the wealth of talent that exists in every school and every community, we need to give every child a chance. | "If we are to make the most of the wealth of talent that exists in every school and every community, we need to give every child a chance. |
"And if we are to be a country which works for most people, we need to break down the divisions in our school system with concerted, collaborative and co-ordinated action from the entire English educational landscape - including the private sector." | "And if we are to be a country which works for most people, we need to break down the divisions in our school system with concerted, collaborative and co-ordinated action from the entire English educational landscape - including the private sector." |
He will cite figures suggesting 3% of private schools in England sponsor an academy, while a further 5% lend them teaching staff and a third share facilities. | He will cite figures suggesting 3% of private schools in England sponsor an academy, while a further 5% lend them teaching staff and a third share facilities. |
The figures come from a speech which Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw made to private school leaders, Labour said. | The figures come from a speech which Ofsted chief inspector Sir Michael Wilshaw made to private school leaders, Labour said. |
Mr Hunt will add: "The only possible answer to whether they earn their £700m subsidy [over the course of the next Parliament] is a resounding and unequivocal 'no'. | Mr Hunt will add: "The only possible answer to whether they earn their £700m subsidy [over the course of the next Parliament] is a resounding and unequivocal 'no'. |
"Over the last few years we have seen the limitations of asking private schools politely. | "Over the last few years we have seen the limitations of asking private schools politely. |
"So the next government will say to them: step up and play your part. Earn your keep. Because the time you could expect something-for-nothing is over'." | "So the next government will say to them: step up and play your part. Earn your keep. Because the time you could expect something-for-nothing is over'." |
'1980s view' | |
The shadow education secretary says he was not intent on penalising private education, just "breaking down the barriers holding Britain back". | |
Under the plans, independent schools would have to make formal partnerships with a state school or consortium of schools in order to continue to qualify for Business Rate Relief. | Under the plans, independent schools would have to make formal partnerships with a state school or consortium of schools in order to continue to qualify for Business Rate Relief. |
If independent schools were not to comply, it would mean they would no longer qualify for business rate relief but it would not interfere with their charitable status. | If independent schools were not to comply, it would mean they would no longer qualify for business rate relief but it would not interfere with their charitable status. |
Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme "pointing the finger at independent schools is a 1980s view of education". | |
He said: "Independent schools are committed to helping widen access to their schools and to improving social mobility. | |
"Already 90% of our schools are involved in meaningful and effective partnerships with state schools and their local communities. | "Already 90% of our schools are involved in meaningful and effective partnerships with state schools and their local communities. |
"Independent schools generate £4.7bn in tax and save the taxpayer a further £4bn, equivalent to building 460 schools, by educating children out of the state school sector. | "Independent schools generate £4.7bn in tax and save the taxpayer a further £4bn, equivalent to building 460 schools, by educating children out of the state school sector. |
"Clawing back business rate relief on independent schools seems a very ineffective tool to improve social mobility in any meaningful way." | "Clawing back business rate relief on independent schools seems a very ineffective tool to improve social mobility in any meaningful way." |