Politics & Council · Wiltshire-wide
Military families in Wiltshire face 'live concern' over private school fee VAT
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A local MP is pressing the government to assess the impact of VAT on private school fees, citing significant concerns for military families living in Wiltshire's garrison towns.
A Wiltshire MP has warned that the introduction of VAT on private school fees has become a significant concern for Armed Forces families in the county. Danny Kruger, the MP for East Wiltshire, has formally written to the Education Secretary, Ms Powell, to highlight the potential disruption the policy is causing to the children of service personnel.
Since January 2025, the government has applied a standard 20 per cent VAT rate to all education and boarding services provided by private schools. While the government maintains the measure is a necessary step to end previous tax breaks and generate funding for public services, the policy has faced ongoing criticism amid reports of independent school closures across the region, including the recent closure of Bishopstrow College in Warminster.
Mr Kruger, whose constituency includes major military bases at Tidworth, Bulford, Larkhill and Upavon, argued that for many service families, boarding schools are not a luxury but a requirement for stability. Due to the nature of their service, including frequent relocations and long periods of deployment away from home, these families often rely on boarding arrangements to ensure their children receive a consistent education.
While many families receive support through the government's Continuity of Education Allowance, Mr Kruger pointed out that the allowance does not cover the full cost of private tuition and boarding. Consequently, the addition of VAT acts as a direct financial burden on parents who are already managing the unique pressures of military life.
In his letter, the MP requested that the Department for Education, working in conjunction with the Ministry of Defence, compile data on how many children of Armed Forces personnel have left the independent school sector since the policy was implemented in early 2025. He also expressed a desire to meet with the minister to discuss potential protections for service children whose education may be at risk.
The issue of rising costs and school closures has been a point of contention across the region. Dr Murrison, the MP for South West Wiltshire, has also been a vocal critic of the policy, linking it to broader economic pressures on independent schools. In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for the Department for Education stated that the policy is projected to raise £1.8 billion annually by 2029/30, which the government intends to use to support public services and the majority of pupils in state education.
The government maintains that decisions regarding school finances and staffing remain the responsibility of individual private institutions, positioning the changes as a commercial shift rather than a policy aimed at specific sectors.
Source: Gazette & Herald · View original