Child Mortality Increases While Public Schools Help Parents Avoid Tax

An indicator of how the quality of life is falling due to austerity is in these statistics just out from the Office of National Statistics.

The UK has dropped several ranks in the European Union rankings of child mortality since 1990, recent analysis of WHO (World Health Organisation) and ONS (Office of National Statistics) data has found.

The drop-in rankings occurred in the two UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators for child mortality – which cover neonatal mortality, and under-five mortality. The goal is that by 2030, all countries should reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births, and under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.

The data for both indicators show that although the UK met the global target some 40 years ago, the rate of improvement has slowed compared with other EU countries, which are making faster progress. The Department of Health committed to halving the rate of stillbirths and infant deaths in England by 2030.

What is the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal?

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Target: By 2030, end preventable deaths of new-born’s and children under five years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-five mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.

And on another topic:

There has been criticism of the fact that public schools are registered as charities. 

Top independent schools are using their charitable status to help wealthy parents reduce their tax bills.

Some of Britain’s best known public schools are openly advertising the tax benefits available to parents who sign up to what are known as "advanced fee schemes".

Elite boys’ school Harrow highlights the “tax-efficient” nature of its scheme which allows parents to pay a large amount of tuition fees up front. The school openly advertises the fact that the £33,285-a-year north London boarding school offers 'attractive returns tax free'. 

The question must be asked is - why are public schools and rich parents avoiding tax, when the health of babies - the children of the rest of the public are dying in greater numbers, in relation to the rest of Europe?

Why should the masses of poor people end up subsidising the education of children of the rich elite? Should we not end the charitable status of public schools, close these tax loopholes and use the money to catch up with the rest of Europe by reducing child mortality? 

Image: Harrow Public School - should public schools really be classed as charities? 

Image: Public school fees schemes benefit from 'advance fee' tax avoidance.