Toby McCartney

Co-Founder of MacRebur - The Plastic Roads Company.

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

@MacRebur

[Campbell Young I'm proud of my values and views @CampbellB_Young]

Congratulations to Toby and the team at MacRebur Limited, delighted to be bringing your award back to the region for you. #MadeInScotland #SOSE

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

The Right Honourable Bridget Phillipson
Education Secretary
The Right Honourable Rachel Reeves
Chancellor of the Exchequer

Dear Ministers,

I am writing to express my profound concern regarding the recent implementation of VAT charges on private schools, which has resulted in exorbitant fee increases that jeopardise my daughters' education.

I reside in Lockerbie, Scotland, while my two daughters, aged 15 and 13, attend a non-boarding private school in Carlisle, England. The school has informed us of an 18% fee increase effective January 1st, backdated from July when the VAT tax was announced. This situation poses a sizeable financial strain on our family, and if we are unable to secure additional funds, we may be forced to withdraw our daughters from the school—a devastating outcome.

The timing of this increase is particularly troubling, especially since my eldest daughter is currently in her final year of GCSE exams, with significant coursework already completed. Transitioning to a state school in our local area after January would not only disrupt her education but would also present a significant challenge, as the Scottish education system does not recognise GCSEs, focusing instead on Scottish Highers. This places us, and many other families, in an incredibly unfair position.

It is worth noting that we already pay for a state school place in Scotland through our taxes, yet we have chosen to invest in private education in England for our daughters since they were five years old. The recent VAT, along with new business rates and increased National Insurance contributions on teachers' salaries, which are all passed onto parents private education fees, means we are facing an additional £849 per month to maintain the education we have committed to.

Given this context, I urge you to consider the unfairness of imposing VAT on private education while families like mine are also funding state education through taxes we do not utilise. Would you consider offering a refund of the taxes we pay for the state school places we have not taken? This financial relief could help us manage the increased costs imposed by your new tax. Furthermore, our local state schools are already at capacity, and utilising these funds could alleviate pressure on a system that cannot accommodate our needs.

If a tax refund is not possible, I would greatly appreciate your guidance on what alternatives are available for families facing this precarious situation. Ensuring a smooth transition between different educational systems is vital for the success of our children.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and any assistance you can provide.

Yours sincerely,

Toby McCartney
@RachelReevesMP @bphillipsonMP

@nicolawoolcock @SianGriffiths6 @branwenjeffreys

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

@elonmuskADO 25

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

@bphillipsonMP
I live in Lockerbie (Scotland) but my girls (15 and 13) who both attend a day private school in Carlisle (England). My 15 year old is in her final year of GCSE exams. The school have told us that they will be increasing their fees by 18% because of the new VAT charges placed on private schools. We are in a situation where if we do not find the additional money for the increase in fees, we would need to pull our girls out of the school. And it gets worse... Our eldest is just about to take her GCSE exams in June 2025, and has completed a number of coursework pieces already in some of the subjects. If we had to pull her out of the school and look for a state school place after January in our catchment area (Scotland) how would she continue with GCSE exams that she is just about to complete, when the Scottish education system is completely different and looks not at GCSEs but at Scottish highers. How would the education minister advise us to progress with our daughter’s education?

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

I live in Lockerbie (Scotland) but my girls (15 and 13) who both attend a day private school in Carlisle (England). My 15 year old is in her final year of GCSE exams. The school have told us that they will be increasing their fees by 18% because of the new VAT charges placed on private schools. We are in a situation where if we do not find the additional money for the increase in fees, we would need to pull our girls out of the school. And it gets worse... Our eldest is just about to take her GCSE exams in June 2025, and has completed a number of coursework pieces already in some of the subjects. If we had to pull her out of the school and look for a state school place after January in our catchment area (Scotland) how would she continue with GCSE exams that she is just about to complete, when the Scottish education system is completely different and looks not at GCSEs but at Scottish highers. How would the education minister advise us to progress with our daughter’s education?
@Telegraph @BBCNews

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

It’s OK though-he is. ‘Working person’… CCTV appears to show Labour MP punching man to ground https://t.co/ciZqZqP9Q3

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

@bphillipsonMP @bbclaurak Hi. I live in Lockerbie (Scotland) but my girls (15 and 13) attend a day private school in Carlisle (England). My 15 year old is in her final year of GCSE exams. The school have told us that they will be increasing their fees by 18% because of the new VAT charges placed on private schools. We are in a situation where if we do not find the additional money for the increase in fees, we would need to pull our girls out of the school. And it gets worse. Our eldest is just about to take her GCSE exams in June 2025, and has completed a number of coursework pieces already in some of the subjects. If we had to pull her out of the school and look for a state school place after January in our catchment area (Scotland) how would she continue with GCSE exams that she is just about to complete, when the Scottish education system is completely different and looks not at GCSEs but at Scottish highers. How would the education minister advise us to progress with our daughter’s education?

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

@Telegraph @spectator @guardiannews @DailyMirror @TheSun

Hi. I live in Lockerbie (Scotland) but my girls (15 and 13) attend a day private school in Carlisle (England). My 15 year old is in her final year of GCSE exams. The school have told us that they will be increasing their fees by 18% because of the new VAT charges placed on private schools. We are in a situation where if we do not find the additional money for the increase in fees, we would need to pull our girls out of the school. And it gets worse. Our eldest is just about to take her GCSE exams in June 2025, and has completed a number of coursework pieces already in some of the subjects. If we had to pull her out of the school and look for a state school place after January in our catchment area (Scotland) how would she continue with GCSE exams that she is just about to complete, when the Scottish education system is completely different and looks not at GCSEs but at Scottish highers. How would the education minister advise us to progress with our daughter’s education?

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

@bbclaurak @BBCNews @BBCScotlandNews @BBC_Cumbria @BBCNews

Hi. I live in Lockerbie (Scotland) but my girls (15 and 13) attend a day private school in Carlisle (England). My 15 year old is in her final year of GCSE exams. The school have told us that they will be increasing their fees by 18% because of the new VAT charges placed on private schools. We are in a situation where if we do not find the additional money for the increase in fees, we would need to pull our girls out of the school. And it gets worse. Our eldest is just about to take her GCSE exams in June 2025, and has completed a number of coursework pieces already in some of the subjects. If we had to pull her out of the school and look for a state school place after January in our catchment area (Scotland) how would she continue with GCSE exams that she is just about to complete, when the Scottish education system is completely different and looks not at GCSEs but at Scottish highers. How would the education minister advise us to progress with our daughter’s education?

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

Remember, you're never alone in your struggle. Reach out to loved ones, friends, or professionals who can offer support. Take time for self-care activities that bring you joy and peace. You are strong, and you will overcome this. #MentalHealthMatters #YouAreNotAlone 💙

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

Fingers crossed for The Edie Net Zero Awards. MacRebur Represent! @MacRebur #NetZeroAwards

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

On my way down to London for the Spectator Economic Innovator of the Year Awards 2023 in partnership with Investec.
@Investec @spectator #spectator #innovations

https://t.co/ipdJ7B0G4s

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

I’m sick of saying this but perhaps local authorities could look for the less expensive solutions available today to help solve this problem rather than continuously moaning on about lack of budget!
@MacRebur #plasticroads

https://t.co/DoQLR42nRs

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

#RealestPersonOnEarth being real!

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

#RealestPersonOnEarth being real!

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

#RealestPersonOnEarth being real!

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

@TurkeyScrapGuy @TurkeyScrapGuy How do they import scrap copper cable into Turkey. I thought it was not permitted?

[Ed Hawkins @ed_hawkins]

BREAKING: the White Cliffs of Dover have been illuminated with the UK 'warming stripes' for #ShowYourStripes day!

These stripes represent the UK average temperature from 1884 to 2022 with blue colours for colder years and red colours for hotter years.

https://t.co/LW5Kgrr8w3

[Toby McCartney @TobyMcCartney]

https://t.co/ww5H62Su6L