THE Welsh Parliament voted to scrap charitable business rates relief for private schools, writes Chris Haines.

From April, private schools in Wales will no longer be eligible for charitable relief but an exception will be introduced for independent special schools.

Of the 83 independent schools in Wales, 17 receive charitable relief at an annual cost to the public purse of about £1.3 million — equivalent to £210 for each of the estimated 6,200 pupils.

Welsh ministers said it would be impossible to “disentangle” the impact from the British government’s separate decision to introduce VAT on private school fees.

Similarly, private schools that are charities in England will also no longer be eligible to receive charitable relief of up to 80 per cent off business rates bills from April 1.

Urging Senedd members to back the Welsh regulations on March 4, Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “The policy aim is to make additional funding available for local services in Wales, by withdrawing a tax reduction for private education that is paid for by public funds.”