Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn discusses 20% VAT on private school fees with Free Presbyterian Church representatives.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn met with Free Presbyterian Church representatives to discuss Labour's proposal to impose a 20% VAT on private school fees, effective January 1, 2025. Concerns were raised about the financial impact on schools and churches, as churches with affiliated schools may need to register for VAT, increasing costs for parents already investing in Christian education. The VAT changes are expected to be addressed in the upcoming budget.