Writing in this week's (October 25th) Bromsgrove Standard, Bradley said:
"This week I met with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury following my recent debate on the Government’s decision to impose VAT on independent school fees.
It’s frustrating it took a debate to get the Government to offer a meeting having previously written to them in the summer requesting one.
This is a joyless, mean-spirited policy that will not fulfil its stated aims. The policy will not raise the money the Government claims it will, but is being forced through at the expense of state and independent schoolchildren to further the Government’s divisive ideological agenda.
Sadly during our meeting the Minister simply read from the Government’s political script and failed to address the concerns I raised on behalf of my constituents and independent schools in Bromsgrove and the Villages.
I’m fighting this education tax because I’m concerned about the impact this policy will have on our state schools. As someone who was proudly educated in state schools in Worcestershire, I want every child to reach their full potential.
However, this policy will do nothing to improve education in our state schools because the Government does not have a plan to address increased class sizes as a result of the displacement from independent schools.
By punishing independent schools, the Government is punishing our state schools too. They are levelling down education across the board, not levelling up education in our state schools.
Also this week I attended a debate in Parliament on support for pubs and the hospitality sector.
In our constituency there are 73 pubs and two breweries, which together support 2,800 jobs, generate £30 million in tax revenue and contribute £95 million to the local economy. In short, those pubs are vital for keeping money within the Bromsgrove economy.
I will always have their back and I’m calling on the Government not to increase alcohol duty at the Budget. Our pubs need support, not further burdens on their businesses at an already challenging time.
And speaking of the Budget, I joined colleagues at Number 10 Downing Street this week to hand in a petition, signed by 130,000 motorists, which calls on the Government to scrap any plans to increase Fuel Duty at the Budget. I very much hope the Government listens and doesn’t punish motorists by hiking Fuel Duty."
