School fees agony grows

ALMOST one in three parents of independent school pupils are struggling with the costs, research shows.

The National Parent Survey, conducted by YouGov for charity Parentkind, also found one in six families with household incomes above £70,000 said they are struggling, with the cost of school trips and uniforms among the main concerns.

It comes as Labour plans to charge private schools 20 per cent VAT and scrap their 80 per cent business rates relief. Heads have warned the move could see thousands of youngsters move into state education.

Jason Elsom, of Parentkind, said: ‘This survey is a wake-up call to schools and politicians.’