Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Bangor, Conwy and Môn, has reiterated her opposition to the VAT increase on private school fees.
A new study has shown that St David’s College in Llandudno pumps £7 million into Conwy’s economy every year, supports 213 jobs, and contributes £11.6 million to the UK’s gross domestic product.
Janet commented:
“It is clear from this study that private and independent schools greatly benefit both our local and national economies. Yet these institutions have been hit by ideological policies implemented by the UK Labour Government. Parents already pay tax towards state education while funding school places themselves. Now they are being taxed again for choosing an independent school.
She continued:
“Across Bangor, Conwy and Môn, and the rest of the UK, we have seen many fantastic independent schools, such as St Gerard’s, close. The increase in National Insurance contributions, the introduction of VAT, and the removal of charitable status have left many schools no longer financially viable. Labour’s ideological policy risks shifting further demand onto the state sector.
Janet continued:
“This has caused significant job losses, with pupils being displaced and losing their support systems. Yet St David’s College is an excellent example of why these schools should be supported, not penalised. Not only do they offer parents greater choice when it comes to schooling and provide a high standard of education, but they also strengthen the country financially.
Janet added:
“We cannot afford for any more of our schools, whether private, independent, or state, to close. These policies must be urgently reversed.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Bangor Conwy Môn, wedi ail-ddatgan ei gwrthwynebiad i'r cynnydd mewn TAW ar ffioedd ysgolion preifat.
Mae astudiaeth newydd wedi dangos bod Coleg Dewi Sant yn Llandudno yn cyfrannu £7 miliwn at economi Conwy bob blwyddyn, yn cefnogi 213 o swyddi ac yn cyfrannu £11.6 miliwn at gynnyrch domestig gros y DU.
Meddai Janet:
"Mae'n amlwg o'r astudiaeth hon fod ysgolion preifat ac annibynnol o fudd mawr i'n heconomïau lleol a chenedlaethol, ond mae'r sefydliadau hyn wedi cael eu taro’n galed gan bolisïau ideolegol Llywodraeth Lafur y DU. Mae rhieni eisoes yn talu treth tuag at addysg y wladwriaeth wrth dalu am leoedd ysgol eu hunain. Nawr maen nhw'n cael eu trethu eto am ddewis ysgol annibynnol.
Aeth ymlaen i ddweud:
"Ar draws Bangor, Conwy a Môn, a gweddill y DU, rydyn ni wedi gweld llawer o ysgolion annibynnol gwych, fel St Gerard's, yn cau. Mae'r cynnydd mewn cyfraniadau Yswiriant Gwladol, cyflwyno TAW a dileu statws elusennol wedi golygu nad yw llawer o ysgolion yn ariannol hyfyw mwyach. Mae polisi ideolegol Llafur mewn perygl o drosglwyddo’r galw i sector addysg y wladwriaeth.
Parhaodd Janet:
"Mae hyn wedi arwain at golli llawer o swyddi, gyda disgyblion yn cael eu dadleoli ac yn colli eu systemau cymorth. Ond mae Coleg Dewi Sant yn enghraifft wych o pam y dylid cefnogi'r ysgolion hyn, yn hytrach na’u cosbi. Yn ogystal â chynnig mwy o ddewis i rieni o ran addysg a darparu addysg o safon uchel, maen nhw hefyd yn cryfhau'r wlad yn ariannol.
Ychwanegodd Janet:
"Ni allwn ni fforddio gweld mwy o'n hysgolion, boed yn ysgolion preifat, annibynnol neu wladol, yn cau. Rhaid gwrthdroi'r polisïau hyn ar unwaith."
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
