The most searched questions about Bridget Phillipson — answered with data.
Why has VAT been added to private schools?
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The October 2024 Budget introduced 20% VAT on private school fees from January 2025, raising an estimated £1.8bn by 2026/27. The government argued the money would fund 6,500 new teachers. However, private school fee increases of around £3,400/yr have pushed approximately 8,000 pupils into the state sector, costing local authorities additional funding per pupil — partially offsetting the tax revenue gained. Critics argue the policy has raised costs without improving outcomes.
What is happening with RAAC schools?
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Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight concrete used in buildings between the 1950s and 1990s that is now deteriorating and prone to sudden collapse. DfE identified over 200 affected school buildings in 2023. By May 2026, 23 schools still require full remediation ahead of the September 2026 target date. Disruption has affected pupils in 104 schools who were taught in temporary accommodation. The total remediation programme has now cost £1.1bn.
Why are SEND waiting lists still growing?
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The SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) system has been in structural deficit for years. Local authorities are legally required to fund Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) but face a combined deficit of £3.6bn. The waiting list has grown to 1.4 million children, with 73% of EHCPs not delivered within the statutory 20-week timeframe. Labour's SEND Review promised a new funding formula in 2025, but implementation has been delayed while families resort to expensive tribunal proceedings to access support.
How does the UK compare internationally in education?
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The UK ranked 18th in the OECD PISA 2025 assessment for reading and mathematics, against a government target of top 15. England's Key Stage 2 reading standard of 61% is below 2019 levels of 65%, and GCSE pass rates fell 0.5% year-on-year. In contrast, countries such as Estonia, Singapore and Canada — which spend less per pupil — consistently outperform the UK. The government's strategy of higher teacher pay without structural reform has not yet translated into improved attainment outcomes.
What did the teacher pay settlement actually cost?
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The 2024/25 teacher pay settlement awarded a 5.5% increase, costing £2.4bn. For 2025/26 a further 4.3% increase was agreed, bringing the annual teacher pay bill to £3.1bn — a rise of £0.7bn year-on-year. While the settlements averted strike action, teacher recruitment targets remain significantly below plan: only 2,800 new teachers were recruited against a target of 6,500. The pay rise has not addressed workload issues or the exodus of experienced teachers from the profession, where turnover rates remain at a 10-year high.