A poll has suggested that 26% of parents would remove their children from private school if 20% VAT is added to fees, Yahoo News has reported.

Some parents are planning to move house to be closer to a cheaper private school or plan switching boarding pupils to day pupils.

The survey, reported by The Times, questioned 2,000 people with investable assets of more than £250,000, with 71% of respondents stating that rising school fees would affect their choices over private schooling in future.

Half of respondents said they would keep their children in private education but would be forced into making changes that may include moving house. One in five said they would have to borrow more to afford higer school fees.

Mike Stimpson, a partner at wealth management form Saltus, said: “Private school fees are likely to rise by a further 5% this September. If Labour wins the next general election and carries out its pledge to impose VAT on school fees, we could see the cost of private tuition rise by at least a further 20% in years to come.”

The Independent Schools Council’s chief executive Julie Robinson said: “We are particularly concerned about the disruption to education for children receiving special educational needs support, for military families, and for those choosing faith schools.

“We would welcome the chance to work with Labour on more productive ways of reaching our shared goal of a great education for every child.”