Labour rejected pleas to delay the implementation of a new 20% VAT on private school fees, despite warnings that it would be disruptive to pupils. Lawyers for the government stated that bringing forward the date by eight months would raise an additional revenue of over £900 million. The new VAT came into effect on January 1, leaving schools and families less than two months to prepare. Schools were originally led to believe that the start date would be in September 2025. Families and private schools are challenging the government's policy in Judicial Review proceedings.