Cut charity status of schools taking ‘dirty Russian money’

PRIVATE schools should lose their charitable status if they accept money from families with suspected links to the Kremlin, an MP has suggested.

Labour’s Ian Mearns, who sits on the education select committee, has called on schools to eliminate what his party describes as “dirty Russian money” from the education system.

The representative for Gateshead said: “Many of these institutions, if not all, have charitable status, that would be severely called into question, should it emerge that they are educating children funded by money that has been gained by questionable means in Russia.

“Do they really need government guidance or can they not distinguish between right and wrong?”

It comes amid calls for independent schools to sever ties with families with suspected links to the Kremlin because of the Ukraine crisis.

An independent school source said schools are seeking more information on potential sanctions for individuals.

“Schools are calling out for clarity from government. In the situation that a child is not enrolled at an independent school as a result of non-payment of fees, then the local authority has a legal duty to educate them. Children of Russian citizens could end up at taxpayersubsidised state schools as a result.”

The Independent School Census in 2021 found that there were about 2,300 Russian students at private schools across the country.

Julie Robinson at the Independent Schools Council said: “The priority for all schools is the safety, wellbeing and education of their pupils. Decisions over sanctions are for the Government.

“Sanctions on individuals and Russian banks mean schools must not accept payments of fees from these sources. They are encouraged to remain on high alert over suspicious payments and expected to raise Suspicious Activity Reports if they have any concerns.”