VAT on private school fees is discriminatory, high court told

Teachers, parents and pupils protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice over the private school fees VAT policy on Tuesday. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA

Adding VAT to private school fees discriminates against children with conditions such as autism whose needs cannot be adequately met by UK state schools, the high court has been told.

The legal action against Labour’s policy is being taken by parents claiming that VAT on school fees is a breach of human rights law and discriminatory on grounds including religion, nationality, disability and mental health.