No rise in private school closures in England since Labour’s VAT proposal, data shows

Figures for 2024 show 46 private schools have closed with 77 opening, despite reports claiming VAT threat has toppled some schools

More than 80 private schools closed every year in England on average over the last decade, official data has shown, with no apparent increase in the trend since Labour announced it was imposing VAT on fees.

A number of media reports have highlighted the closure of some private schools as supposedly being caused by the policy, which is intended to raise money for more teachers in state schools.