Baroness Barran (Con)

My Lords, in moving Amendment 63, I will speak to all of the other amendments in this group. Amendment 63 would exempt schools that provide bursaries that amount to more than 7% of a school’s income. This is a small cost, but comes at a time when private schools are already facing higher costs from the Government’s decision to impose VAT on them. I am concerned that schools will not have room in their budgets to continue providing the same level of means-tested fee assistance. I hope the Minister agrees that the provision of bursaries is an important factor in enabling children from less affluent homes to access independent education. Amendment 64 would exempt schools which provide education for gifted arts students, including music and drama. These schools tend to be small independent schools, which will not be able to absorb the costs that the Government are imposing on them. Our worry is that they will be forced to close, and the culture that is so essential to our society will no longer be available in the same way. The Minister will know of the real concerns in this sector and the impact that it risks having on our creative industries, which are such an important engine of growth in this country. These are students who attend a private school based on their exceptional talent. I hope the Minister will reflect on how best to avoid narrowing opportunities for children who access this small group of schools. Amendment 66 would exempt schools where 10% of pupils have a parent or guardian in the Armed Forces. If I have understood correctly, it seems unfair that while the children of foreign diplomats and international military personnel will be exempted from these additional costs on independent schools, specifically VAT, the same benefits are not being offered to the children of our own Armed Forces personnel. As such, it seems fair to suggest that the children of those personnel, who provide invaluable service to this country, are treated with the same level of respect. I very much support the spirit of my noble friends Lord Black and Lord Lexden’s Amendments 69A and 69B. Clearly, the spirit of Amendment 69A aligns with my amendments in this group, and Amendment 69B highlights the invaluable work that some independent schools do in relation to children in care. I beg to move.