Lords Vote Against Ending Tax Relief for Private Schools, Citing Impact on SEND Pupils

Baroness Diana Barran said she does not believe ‘that the long-standing tradition that education should be free from taxation should be broken.’

School children during a Year 5 class at a primary school in Yorkshire, England, on Nov. 27, 2019. Danny Lawson/PA Wire

The Lords have voted against ending the tax relief for independent schools in England, citing the impact on pupils with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) among its reasons.

On Tuesday, peers voted 232 to 141—a majority of 91—in favour of an amendment to the Non-Domestic (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill, removing Clause 5, which aimed to end charitable tax relief for independent schools.