'VAT on private school fees has a huge impact'

Lisa moved her daughter to a private school after she struggled with class sizes in a state school

A woman from West Sussex has said the government's new tax on private school fees has had a "huge" impact on her family.

Lisa, who owns a business in Hassocks, said the changes "should have been better thought through" and phased in "not to apply straightaway to those already in the private sector".

Fees at the UK's 2,500 private schools became liable for 20% VAT from 1 January.

A government spokesperson said: "Ending tax breaks for private schools will raise £1.8bn a year by 2029/30 to help deliver 6,500 new teachers and raise school standards, supporting the 94% of children in state schools to achieve and thrive."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed private schools would no longer be exempt from VAT in the autumn Budget, saying the money raised would help "provide the highest quality of support and teaching" in the state sector.

Lisa said moving her daughter from a state school where she "found class sizes a challenge" to a private school had been a "big financial strain".

She told Politics South East: "We made the decision to go to a smaller school.

"She's doing amazing. She's a different child."

Fees at the UK's 2,500 private schools became liable for 20% VAT from 1 January

She said: "When you sign up to go to private school you've worked out financially what you can and can't afford.

"Suddenly having the extra added cost for a lot of people has tipped them over the edge."

Some private schools have already argued the new tax meant they had to increase their fees, which would impact how many people could afford to enrol their children.

Lisa said: "A lot of people assume sending your child private means you're wealthy and that's not always the case.

"It's often about making sacrifices."

You can see more on this story on Politics South East at 10:00 GMT on BBC One on Sunday or on BBC iPlayer.