Joshua Conway cannot continue as a councillor as he is a teacher at an independent school that is joining the state sector reports David Floyd

Cllr Joshua Conway, who has been disqualified as a councillor after the school where he teaches joined the state sector – (Credit – Barnet Council)

Barnet Conservatives have hit out at the “real human costs” of the Labour government’s policy of charging VAT on private school fees after a Hendon ward councillor was disqualified from his role for being a state school teacher.

Cllr Joshua Conway is headteacher of a small independent Jewish school which has successfully applied to join the state sector after the 20% VAT levy introduced by Keir Starmer’s government combined with other rising costs to make its financial model unsustainable.

Under the provisions of the Local Government Act, Cllr Conway is now ineligible for his role at the town hall as teachers are not allowed to serve as elected members of the local authority with financial responsibility for their workplace.

Reflecting on the situation, Cllr. Conway said: “I am deeply saddened. I love serving both my school and my community. It feels wrong to be forced to choose. This wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the Labour government’s envy tax on independent schools.”

Barnet Conservatives say this outcome highlights the wider shortcomings of the VAT policy and are urging the Westminster government to reconsider its position in light of these unintended consequences.

Conservative group leader, Peter Zinkin said: “This is Labour’s tax raid in action – inflicting real human costs on dedicated public servants and forcing closures or conversions.”

In a statement issued this afternoon, Barnet Council said: “Following the disqualification of Joshua Conway, a by-election will be held for one councillor in the Hendon ward. The date of the election will be confirmed early next week when a ‘Notice of Election’ is published on the Council’s website.

“Cllr Joshua Conway was disqualified because of a change of status in his employment. By law, a person is disqualified from being a member of a local authority if they are employed in a school that is maintained by the local authority.”

While the date has not yet been officially announced, the by-election is expected to take place on Thursday 30th October.

Residents who are not yet registered to vote can do so online at: https://www.barnet.gov.uk/elections-and-voting/voting/register-vote

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