Barnet Conservatives have condemned Barnet Labour for voting against a motion to protect the borough’s independent faith schools from the damaging effects of Labour’s tax on private education. The motion, proposed by Cllr David Longstaff at the Council meeting on 28 January 2025, called for urgent action to support these vital community institutions but was shamefully rejected by Labour councillors. Shockingly, Labour’s leadership even urged their councillors to vote against the motion, demonstrating their disregard for the concerns of local families.
The resolution highlighted independent faith schools’ crucial role in Barnet’s diverse community, providing quality education, fostering moral values, and alleviating pressure on already overstretched state schools. Many of these schools operate on tight budgets, relying on charitable donations to remain affordable for local families. Yet, Labour’s punitive tax on private education threatens their very existence.
It is disgraceful that Barnet Labour turned their backs on our local families by voting against this motion. These schools are not elitist institutions—they are community-led, faith-based schools that provide essential education and values to thousands of children. If they are forced to close due to Labour’s tax hike, parents will have no choice but to send their children to already overburdened state schools, creating chaos in our education system.”
The motion called for three key actions:
Writing to the Secretary of State for Education to highlight the impact of Labour’s tax and urge reconsideration.
Conducting an assessment of the tax’s effects on faith schools and the borough’s education system.
Exploring ways to mitigate financial pressures on these schools through grants, fundraising, and partnerships.
This policy is an attack on parental choice and educational diversity. Barnet’s faith schools serve over 3,300 pupils, and many families make sacrifices to afford the education that aligns with their values. These schools are not luxuries; they are lifelines. Labour’s refusal to back this motion shows just how out of touch they are with Barnet’s communities.
The decision by Barnet Labour to block this motion proves once again that they put ideology over families. Barnet Conservatives remain committed to defending choice in education and ensuring all children have access to the schooling that best meets their needs.