Should private schools lose their charitable status?

Private schools in England hold charitable status, exempting them from VAT on fees, business rates, and other taxes, with many providing bursaries and educating some state-funded pupils with special needs. The Labour government ended the VAT exemption on fees from January 2025, prompting over 100 closures and shifts of around 25,000 pupils to state schools, straining capacity. Critics argue it subsidizes the wealthy while supporters claim it levels the playing field and generates revenue, though net gains remain debated.