𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗙𝗜𝗦 𝗪𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲

Policy decisions made over the next few years will shape how many families plan, access, and sustain their children’s education.

For families using independent education, recent fiscal policy changes, particularly VAT on school fees and the removal of business rates relief from charitable independent schools, have intensified concerns around affordability, continuity, and long-term planning.  Huge disruption and distress has also been caused to families in both the state and independent sectors.

At the Association For Families Of Independent Schooling (AFIS) C.I.C., we believe families are best supported when they are well-informed. Sadly,  public debate around independent education too often relies on assumptions, stereotypes, and incomplete data.

While schools and sector bodies are represented in national discussions, families themselves have historically lacked a clear and credible voice.

AFIS was established to address that gap.

Our purpose is to improve understanding of independent schooling, parental choice, and educational opportunity through research, insight, and constructive engagement. 

This work forms part of our current strategic focus, 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 - 2026-2029, designed to ensure families are informed, organised, and credibly represented ahead of the next general election.

As part of this, last month, AFIS wrote to all UK political parties requesting formal clarification on 2 key policy areas:
• VAT on independent school fees
• The removal of business rates relief from charitable independent schools

We have asked each party to outline:
• its current position,
• any future policy direction,
• and the reasoning behind its approach.

By publishing responses, AFIS aims to make party positions clearer and more comparable for families.

Parents deserve to understand how those policies are expected to work in practice and what they may mean for children’s education and long-term planning for their families.

This initiative reflects AFIS’s wider commitment to engaging directly with policymakers and the media. Through projects including our 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙑𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙚 (exploring the demographic profiles and schooling choice motivations of our members) and our forthcoming whitepaper, we will strengthen the evidence base around these issues and ensure robust data, evidence and lived experiences inform public and policy discussions.

Requesting clarity from political parties is therefore part of a broader effort to connect evidence, policy, and public understanding, so families are not left navigating major educational decisions without clear information.

We will publish all responses received in due course, alongside updates where parties choose not to respond.