High court rules against private school VAT fight

A GROUP of private schools, pupils and parents have lost High Court challenges over the imposition of VAT on school fees.

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They brought legal action against the Treasury, claiming the policy is discriminatory and incompatible with human rights law.

The Treasury defended the challenges over the policy, with HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Education (DfE) also taking part.

Dame Victoria Sharp, Lord Justice Newey and Mr Justice Chamberlain said that while the legislation does interfere with some of the group’s human rights, the rights of those affected by the policy had to be balanced against the interests of others who may gain from the money it will raise.