In a bizarre turn of events the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has written to private schools asking about discounts for its diplomats abroad, who are affected by increased costs imposed by the government itself, the Daily Mail has reported.

Around £13 million of taxpayer’s cash is spent annually to subsidise the school fees of children of envoys.

An email to dozens of schools reads: “I am enquiring whether you would consider providing a discount to include FCDO families.

“We are hearing concern from our families about impact of the Government’s proposal to remove the exemption from VAT for private schools.”

It added that it would be “helpful to understand any plans your school may be considering in relation to this.”

The Independent Schools Council stated: “It is somewhat surprising for the government to ask that it be effectively exempted from the fee rises it has caused. The extra costs to the government are because of the VAT policy it rushed through against the advice of tax and teaching experts.”

The email is believed to have come from the FCDO’s HR department. The FCDO stated: There will be no exemptions for diplomats on VAT for private school fees and the FCDO is not asking schools for special treatment in relation to this policy. This is not and never has been government policy.”