During a contentious session of Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer found himself under fire from Conservative frontbencher Victoria Atkins, who fiercely accused him of dishonesty. The disagreement erupted as they discussed a newly introduced government policy imposing VAT on private school fees, a measure purportedly designed to generate extra funding for state schools but likely to hinder educational choices for many families.
Sir Oliver Dowden, a former Conservative minister and current MP for Hertsmere, opened the discussion by pressing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to rethink the VAT policy's ramifications on private education. Dowden aptly described this initiative as "a double hit to aspiration," highlighting the financial strain it places on parents who make sacrifices to provide the best education for their children. He pointed out that this VAT not only adds to the burden on middle-class families but also fails to resolve the chronic capacity issues in local state schools. “This policy won’t even save money,” he asserted, underlining how the excellent local state schools, which often face overcrowding, stand to gain little from such misguided policies.
In response, Starmer attempted to downplay concerns, claiming, “I don’t doubt the aspirations of all parents… we’ve been able to ensure that our state secondary schools have the teachers they need.” This smacks of hypocrisy, as his party's historical neglect of education funding has left schools starved of resources and staffing. One has to question if Starmer genuinely cares about state education when his party's record tells a different story.
At this heated exchange, Victoria Atkins, now shadow environment secretary, shouted, “that is a lie!” A sharp rebuke that merely reflects the reality many parents face under Labour’s economic policies; her remark led Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle to intervene, reminding everyone of the necessity to uphold parliamentary decorum. Though Atkins later withdrew her statement to avoid further disciplinary action, this moment highlighted the increasing frustration felt towards the Labour government's handling of education.
Adding fuel to the fire, Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts, seized the opportunity to accuse Starmer of further burdening the most vulnerable in society with his financial decisions. She pointed out significant changes in German fiscal policies aimed at boosting investment in defence and infrastructure, questioning whether the UK government would take a similar forward-thinking approach or continue to burden the populace with costly budget cuts impacting welfare and international aid.
The Prime Minister, attempting to defend his government’s commitment to increasing defence spending, emphasized that any proposed funding plans should be meticulously costed. He notably challenged Roberts on her party's previous vote against a crucial £1.6 billion allocation intended for Welsh public services, asking her to clarify how her decision would ultimately benefit her constituents.
This PMQs session starkly illustrated the deepening rift between the parties over educational policies and resource allocation, particularly in light of an administration that threatens to undermine parental choice and working families' rights in pursuit of its flawed economic strategies. The opposition continues to urge for accountability and a return to policies that truly support education and aspiration for all, rather than damaging initiatives that serve to erode opportunities for the very families they claim to represent.
Source: Noah Wire Services