Labour preparing for private school closures after VAT raid on fees, suggest reports
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Contingency plans are underway in Whitehall for a surge in demand for state school places, amid concerns private schools will shut due to fee increases, according to reports. However, a government spokesperson also told the newspaper that the idea officials were preparing for a collapse of private schools was “completely misleading”. On average, the Treasury expects private school fees to increase by around 10 per cent as a result of the introduction of VAT, while it predicts that 35,000 pupils will move into UK state schools “in the long-term steady state”. open image in gallery The government has decided to start charging 20 per cent VAT on private schools from 2025 Government sources are confident state schools will be able to deal with the increased intake.