Schools tax grab on hold

PRIVATE schools have been handed a funding lifeline after SNP ministers halted a £7million tax grab amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In February, Holyrood approved reforms which would have seen independent schools stripped of their right to claim charitable status on relief for business rates.

Principals had feared having to make tough decisions such as hiking fees and cutting bursary places.

John Edward, of the Scottish Council of Independent Schools, warned it would have seen some schools ‘closed overnight’.

Yesterday, The Herald on Sunday revealed the planned tax grab had been postponed until next year. The Scottish Government said: ‘This decision was taken to assist mainstream independent schools as they deal with the impact of Covid-19.’