Some British private schools want to avoid passing on all VAT increases to students due to strong inflows in Hong Kong

Hong Kong parents who send their children to private, independent schools in Britain may not face as big a tuition hike as feared amid a looming rise in state taxes, according to educators and an adviser the value added (VAT) by 20 percent.

The British government is expected to announce its final decision on Wednesday on whether to introduce 20 percent VAT on private school fees from January 1 next year, following a two-month consultation.

The principal of one school told the Post that the institution was exploring other sources of revenue to offset the higher levy, while other operators were trying to cut expenses.

Sylvia Brett, the principal of Harrogate Ladies’ College, said the school would not pass on the full 20 percent VAT to students, including those from Hong Kong, noting that parents had worked hard to ensure their children had a variety of education options in the UK could experience. .

“I don’t want Hong Kong parents to think that they are less important because of our government’s decision to include VAT,” she told the Post.

The school, located in North Yorkshire, has around 600 students – including 21 from Hong Kong, aged 11 to 18. The institution says it has been admitting students from the city for almost 30 years.