THE Welsh Parliament voted to scrap charitable business rates relief for private schools, writes Chris Haines.

From April, private schools in Wales will no longer be eligible for charitable relief but an exception will be introduced for independent special schools.

Of the 83 independent schools in Wales, 17 receive charitable relief at an annual cost to the public purse of about £1.3 million — equivalent to £210 for each of the estimated 6,200 pupils.