Parents haggle with private schools over fees as VAT pushes up costs

With the introduction of a 20% VAT rate, parents are finding private school fees increasingly burdensome, prompting many to band together to negotiate group discounts. Financial advisers report a surge in families coordinating to lower their costs, highlighting the broader economic impact of rising taxes on education. This shift underscores the strain on middle-class budgets and the lengths people will go to secure quality education for their children amid financial pressures.