Predictions that implementing a 20% VAT on private school fees would lead to a mass shift of students to the state sector have been disproven by recent figures from councils in England. Despite warnings of potential shortages in state school places, applications for state secondary schools show stability, with families largely receiving their first choice of schools. The government maintains that the shift is not occurring and will continue to support working families seeking quality state education for their children.
Experts had identified the transition from primary to secondary school as the time when parents would be most likely to opt for state education after an increase in private school fees with the addition of VAT.
Despite all the doom-mongering and ululating from the private schools lobby, as well as their Conservative and Reform lackeys, there hasn't been a massive exodus from private schools.
Most councils say they have seen no impact from the policy in applications to start at state secondary schools later this year.
The number of families receiving their first preference of secondary school place rose by one percentage point compared with 2024, to 71.6%.
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