Nearly a quarter of parents with children at independent schools plan to move them to the state sector. (Image: Getty)
Nearly a quarter of parents with children at independent schools plan to move them to the state sector following the decision to add VAT to school fees.
As many as 13 per cent are expected to leave during this academic year in the wake of the Government’s move, says research for the Saltus Wealth Index Report.
The startling figures emerged after Sir admitted using his privileged position to secure £20,000 worth of “peace and quiet” in a borrowed flat for his son who was studying for exams during the election campaign.
Critics last night pointed out the disparity of his position, while parents of special needs children – who choose private schools because of the smaller class sizes and better pastoral care – see fees made unaffordable by the new education tax.
Last night one senior Tory source said: “ is deeply out of touch if his defence for the use of Lord Alli’s multi-million pound penthouse is his child’s education, whilst his Government taxes the education of thousands of others.”
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More than half – 55 per cent – of the 2,000 people polled said their children’s education could be disrupted by Labour’s decision to add VAT to private school fees, with 10 per cent considering moving abroad.
Of those who say they are being forced to pull their children out, one in eight said it will happen during this school year instead of waiting until September.
One in five – 21 per cent – will try to find a less expensive school.
Last night Shadow Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “The impact of Labour’s education tax could see thousands of pupils enter state schools, increasing class sizes and costs for the taxpayer, and causing disruption for teachers and pupils, and this shocking new report confirms exactly that.
“All the while, this new Labour Government is still happy to cause larger class sizes in the state sector.”