Janice R. Andrews
People in the British military are stationed all over the world, from Cyprus to Somalia, South Sudan to the Falklands. They work hard to protect the country’s interests. On the front lines, soldiers, sailors, and pilots put their lives at risk to fight terrorists, catch organised criminals, and protect the UK from dangers around the world. If they had not given up so much, you would think that the government would fully support their families, especially their children.
But a new tax plan from the new Labour government, which will be run by Sir Keir Starmer, could make it harder for military children to go to school. The idea to tax private schools, especially since school fees will go up by 20% in VAT, is very dangerous for thousands of military families who depend on the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA). This grant helps more than 4,000 military children get a private education that is partially paid for by the state. This gives them a stable schooling while their parents are abroad.
Why the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is Important
Life is always changing for families in the Armed Forces who move around a lot and do a lot. Because of how things work, these families usually have to move every two years. The CEA is a very important resource for military families because it makes sure that their kids can go to private schools and keep learning even when their parents are deployed to faraway places. The programme is carefully run, and strict rules make sure that only people who need help get it.
Most British families probably don’t use private schools, but military families say that this choice is necessary to make family life easier when moving around a lot. It lets service members focus on their jobs without having to worry about their kids’ schooling, which is very important for their ability to keep helping the country.
Uncertainty About Military Families’ Tax Break
Even though it’s clear that this plan is needed, the government hasn’t said for sure if military families will not have to pay the higher VAT on private school fees. This lack of clarity is making military families and allies more worried. Lord Kempsell, who is a member of the House of Lords and used to be the political head of the Conservative Party, has been asking the government for answers.
During the summer break, Lord Kempsell asked in a written question to Parliament if it was clear if the VAT increase would affect military families who use the CEA. Families are in a state of uncertainty because there has been no clear answer. Since then, Lord Kempsell has written to the Treasury, which is in charge of making the tax, but has not yet heard back.
Lord Kempsell is going to use his time in the House of Lords to ask the government again to remove the school tax from military families. Britain’s strongest families should not have to pay for an extra school tax. This would not only be morally wrong, but it could also have serious security effects.
Impact on Army Retention Possible
If the suggested tax goes through, it could be terrible for military families. A recent poll found that almost 70% of Army families said they would have to think twice about joining the military if they couldn’t get help or a permit to pay for their child’s private schooling. Losing such a large part of the armed forces could make the country’s defence much less effective at a time when global security worries are growing due to wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
If this new tax policy makes it hard for people to pay their bills, does Sir Keir Starmer really want military members to quit their jobs? It couldn’t come at a worse time, and the effects on national security are scary.
Politics that divide or good government?
Some people, like Lord Kempsell, who are against the VAT increase say that it is a sign of Labour’s controversial class-based policies from a long time ago. He says, “This is 2024, not 1974,” and stresses that the UK should work on growing its economy and supporting private education as a useful global export instead of pursuing policies that split the country.
Instead of taxing military families, Lord Kempsell wants the government to either not tax them at all or give them a refund or some other form of financial help. Families should not have to choose between their children’s schooling and their service to the country. This could weaken the overall defence system of the country.
At this point, there is one thing that is clear: the schooling of children in the military should not be a side issue in a political fight over taxes. There is a lot at stake, both for the families who serve and for national security. It is not only the right thing to do financially, but also the proper thing to do to remove military families from the VAT increase on private school fees. Right away, the government needs to make sure that the people who protect the country are also protected from the bad effects of this strategy.
