Hong Kong parents who send their children to private independent schools in Britain may not be facing as much of a tuition fee increase as feared under a looming 20 per cent value-added tax (VAT) hike, according to educators and a consultant.
The UK government is expected to announce its final decision on Wednesday on whether to introduce 20 per cent VAT on private school fees from January 1 of next year, after it conducted a two-month consultation.
The head of one school told the Post that the institution was exploring other sources of income to offset the increased levy, while other operators were seeking to cut back on spending.
Sylvia Brett, the principal of Harrogate Ladies’ College, said the school would not pass the entire 20 per cent VAT on to students, including those from Hong Kong, noting parents had worked hard so their children could experience different education options in the United Kingdom.
“I don’t want Hong Kong parents to think that they are any less important because of our government’s decision to include the VAT,” she told the Post.
The school, which is located in North Yorkshire, has about 600 pupils – including 21 from Hong Kong aged 11 to 18. The institution said it had admitted students from the city for nearly 30 years.