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MP 'extremely concerned' at school closure reports

Louise Parry
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Google St Hilda's School seen from the outside with the school name in blue letters and a logo next to that. It looks like a large brick house rather than a school, standing next to a road and adjacent to another large white building with several chimneys that is presumably part of the school. There is a small car park with about 8 cars and a black fence.Google
St Hilda's girls school is consulting with staff about closing the school

A Conservative MP has criticised the government's policy of charging VAT on private school fees, claiming it was leading to the closure of at least two local schools.

Hertsmere MP Sir Oliver Dowden said he was "extremely concerned" at reports that St Hilda's prep school in Bushey "may close".

"This is the second casualty of Labour's schools tax in Bushey alone," said Sir Oliver, who previously highlighted the closure of a Jewish faith school, Immanuel Prep.

The Department for Education was contacted for comment.

St Hilda's school told the BBC: "The possible closure of St Hilda's remains subject to consultation with the staff, which is underway."

Fees at the UK's 2,500 private schools became liable for 20% VAT from 1 January.

The government said it expected to raise £1.725bn from the tax which would "go towards the public finances and help improve education and outcomes for young people".

But Sir Oliver, who attended a local state school, called the policy "deeply misguided".

"It's very difficult to say there's not a linkage between the two, when you slap an extra 20% on the fees. It seems strangely coincidental that two schools in my constituency are facing closure within weeks of Labour introducing this policy," he told the BBC.

UK Parliament Oliver Dowden speaking in Parliament, wearing a blue speckled tie and blue suit with white shirt. He has the green leather parliamentary bench behind him and is gesturing with his hand to make a point. UK Parliament
Sir Oliver Dowden calls the policy 'a tax on aspirations'

He said school places in Hertfordshire were "already in exceptionally short supply" and private schools closing would add "unsustainable pressure on local state schools".

The government said there was "lots of evidence to suggest that there are more than enough state school places for pupils who may move from a private school".

Sir Oliver claimed the extra VAT payment was creating "anxiety for families".

"I know people who have worked very hard to send their children to these schools

"In this part of Hertfordshire, you've got a very diverse array of different schools. Many of the Hindu community work hard in sending their children there, as well as a large Jewish community. It's a very mixed cohort".

Google Part of Immanuel College in Bushey, seen from the road opposite. A series of quite grand historical buildings sits behind a long brick wall, including one grey building with a five storey tower. There are trees behind the wall and in the distance, and a road in the foreground.Google
Sir Oliver said Immanuel College was facing "growing financial pressures" leading to it closing its prep school

Sir Oliver previously raised concerns in the House of Commons, saying Immanuel Prep had announced it would be closing at the end of this academic year.

He said the faith school had been suffering "growing financial pressures brought about by the Labour government's decisions to introduce VAT on school fees, increase National Insurance, and remove business rates relief for private schools."

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