Labour's VAT change cuts private school offerings

Labour's removal of the VAT exemption for private schools has led to staff cuts, fewer subjects, and increased fees. Many private schools report declining applications and pupil numbers, with some passing on over 11% of VAT costs to parents. Stamford School criticized the government's decision as "vandalism," announcing cuts to its German department and A-Level Latin. Highgate School's headteacher noted that bursary support may decrease due to the financial impact of the VAT change. A government spokesperson stated that the policy aims to raise £1.8 billion annually by 2029-30 to support public services. Meanwhile, a report highlights rising teacher shortages in state schools, leading to larger class sizes and reliance on unqualified staff.