A new poll has revealed strong public support for the Labour government's plan to impose VAT on private school fees, with 54% of respondents backing the policy and only 22% opposing it. The survey, conducted by the Private Education Policy Forum (PEPF), shows an even greater margin of support than similar polls before the election.
The government has accused critics, including the Conservatives and right-wing media, of being out of touch. A government source stated: 'This is yet more conclusive evidence of the overwhelming support for this Labour government’s policy of removing tax breaks from private schools to invest in the state sector.'
The policy, due to take effect on 1 January, is expected to raise £1.5bn in its first full year, rising to £1.7bn by 2029-30. The funds will be used to recruit 6,500 extra teachers and improve mental health provision in state schools, where 94% of children are educated.
The poll also found that 57% of people consider the private education system unfair, and there is strong support for requiring private schools to offer a quarter of places free to local children to improve social mixing.
Downing Street defended Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, arguing that soaring private school fees—up 75% in real terms since 2000, averaging £18,000 a year—have priced out middle-class parents. Professor Francis Green of University College London noted that while other European countries do not tax private education, the UK system is a 'unique outlier' with high fees and exclusivity.
