Department for Education written question – answered at on 30 July 2026.
Lord Black of Brentwood
Conservative
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the 8.2 per cent fall in the number of boarding pupils at independent schools recorded in the 2026 Independent Schools Council’s annual census, published on 24 June; and whether they plan to review the policy of applying VAT to boarding fees as a result of this figure.
Baroness Smith of Malvern
Minister of State (Education), The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
The decline in pupil numbers is not out of line with expectations given the removal of the VAT exemption, population decline and historical trends in private schools. There are no plans to make any related policy changes.
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