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Why We Are Suspending the Funding: A Thoughtful Reflection

  • Karthik
  • Sep 11, 2024
  • 3 min read

Dear Supporters,


I wanted to take a moment to provide you with a deeper understanding of why we have decided to suspend our current funding activity. This decision was not made lightly, and it comes after extensive discussions with a highly experienced legal team. Below, I outline the main reasons behind this decision, our future steps, and how you can continue supporting the cause.


I am requesting all supporters to request a refund from JustGiving. Please do by 30th September before the campaign ends.


1. Legal Advice and Challenges of a Human Rights Argument


We have been working closely with a large legal firm that has successfully litigated against the government on a range of complex issues. Their expertise was invaluable in assessing the viability of pursuing a Human Rights argument in our case. However, after careful analysis, they advised that this legal route is fraught with limitations.


The primary concern is that even if we were to secure a declaration of incompatibility under Article 14 and A2P1, this would only result in the issue being sent back to the legislative arena. Here, it could be quickly overridden by a majority vote, especially given the government’s existing public mandate. In essence, while such a declaration may seem like a legal win, it does little to provide immediate relief or concrete results for parents and children affected by proposed policy changes.


2. Redirecting Efforts Towards Meaningful Impact


We are committed to advocating for parents and children in a way that delivers real, tangible outcomes. Pursuing a legal argument that we know could be easily dismissed does not align with this commitment. The last thing we want is to spend your contributions on a path that, while principled, lacks the potential to drive immediate change.


Instead, we are redirecting our focus towards other avenues that may offer more direct support and impact. This includes engaging in advocacy, raising awareness, and exploring other legal or strategic options that could better serve our community. While these efforts are still in development, I am hopeful that they will prove more effective in protecting the interests of families who stand to be affected by these policy changes.


3. Other Groups and Legal Efforts You Can Support


It’s important to recognize that we are not alone in this fight. There are other groups actively pursuing different avenues and legal routes that may align more closely with your hopes for immediate impact. These groups are working with their own legal firms, exploring strategies that might offer a viable path forward. You may choose to support these groups and their legal efforts directly, as they continue to challenge the proposed policy changes in ways that complement our shared goals.


4. Responsible Stewardship of Your Contributions


One of our guiding principles is responsible stewardship of the funds you have so generously contributed. Given the legal advice, we believe it would be irresponsible to continue down a path that is unlikely to yield meaningful results. The policy has already excluded certain categories like EHCP[5] and considering exlusion to military families[4]. We want to ensure that every pound donated goes towards strategies and actions that genuinely support our cause and bring relief to parents.


This is why I am asking all supporters to request a refund from JustGiving. The campaign will officially end on 30th September, so please make sure your request is submitted by then. Your support has been instrumental, and I am committed to finding the right approach that truly makes a difference.


The refund can be made by contacting JustGiving Support <help@justgiving.zendesk.com> and quoting - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/school-tax-forum.


5. What’s Next? Stay Connected


While we are suspending this particular funding effort, our commitment to the cause remains unwavering. I am actively exploring different ways to bring relief to parents and will keep you updated on our progress through schooltaxforum.co.uk. Our work is far from over, and with your continued support, I am confident that we can find a path forward that will better serve the families who need it most.


In Conclusion


Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. Your belief in this cause has been a source of strength, and I promise to continue working tirelessly to advocate for parents and children. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out—I value your input. Remember, there are still opportunities to make a difference by supporting other groups and their legal efforts.


Further Reading:





 
 
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