Dr Luke Evans

Dr Luke Evans, Conservative MP for Hinckley and Bosworth, has warned the children’s mental health could be severely affected by the government’s plan to tax independent school fees.

Evans stated that the imposition of VAT in January, will cause pupils to move schools during term time and called for funding to support their welfare.

Evans said: “In my area I have two private schools where parents have written that they’re going to have to move out into the state system. The problem is, there aren’t places in the state system to accomplish that. So, will there be a dedicated fund to help those schools when pupils do move?”

The exchequer secretary to the Treasury James Murray responded that removing independent schools’ exemption is “a tough but necessary decision that will secure additional funding to help the government deliver its commitments to improving education in state schools across the country”.