The cost of private education has gone up, in case you were wondering why all the tiny violins had sold out – 15 entirely unsympathetic reactions
One of Labour’s manifesto promises in 2024 was to remove the VAT exemption from private schools, and it’s a pledge they honoured. Of course, that led to a lot of hand wringing, and accusations of the party practising the politics of envy and removing options from struggling middle-class parents.
A report in the the Financial Times detailed the latest costs for both day pupils and boarders at independent fee-paying schools, and the figures are admittedly eye-watering to the average person.
Total cost of privately educating a child in the UK rises to £216,000 https://t.co/knOZDVv3Yj
— Financial Times (@FT) August 13, 2026
Tweeters were very sympathetic. Lol, just kidding. There was a positive symphony of tiny violin music.
1.
Alternatively, you can get it for free https://t.co/LIlyQwAGOF
— Lewis Goodall (@lewis_goodall) August 13, 2026
2.
And they end up working for the FT and have no understanding of the markets.
— The Heyoka (@TheHeyoka505) August 13, 2026
3.
Only sociopaths send their children to private schools – to become sociopaths. The British class system is a vicious circle and the primary reason why Britain is so shit at most things. Intellectual ability and academic achievement are not what it’s about – it’s about connections
— Il vecchio Martino (@OldMartens) August 13, 2026
4.
If aspirational parents are encouraged to send their kids to state schools then it is great for the country. Motivated parents improve schools & of course they will save themselves a small fortune too. And little Johnny will get a broader education & likely much better attitude https://t.co/NbJUNpDdUw
— William Storey (@richenergyceo) August 13, 2026
5.
Oh dear, how awful.
It should be 200x that. Make it properly elitist.
— 3 Wheeled Jon 💚🌳💚 (@3_wheeled_jon) August 13, 2026
6.
Won't anyone spare a thought for the woes of the wealthy? https://t.co/WDHuz9aR25
— Teacher Dude (@teacherdude) August 13, 2026
7.
— David McLean (@SwordsaintPress) August 13, 2026
8.
Nobody cares.
Meanwhile, nobody has a state provided option for nursery – so everybody has to pay extortionate fees for that.
— Zoe Gardner (@ZoeJardiniere) August 13, 2026
9.
All this to produce BoJoke’s type of guys.. https://t.co/gwd45Ol5TS
— Mark Giorgi (@MarkGio1) August 13, 2026
10.
So what nobody cares,its a business cut their costs like any other.just want handoouts all the time from working people.only being charged vat.
— solentstars (@solentstars) August 13, 2026
11.
If only there was a free way of educating a child. 🤔 https://t.co/6jDxRHGXpa
— Martin 🍉 (@martinsross1) August 13, 2026
12.
It's horrible when your country doesn't have a fully-funded state education system. https://t.co/ZzwjFWSZ2K
— Priyamvada Gopal © (@PriyamvadaGopal) August 13, 2026
13.
If only there was a state provided schools system… https://t.co/THCZu8hBKX
— Dr Rónán Lee (@Ronan_Lee) August 13, 2026
14.
Fun Fact:
The local education authority with the best A Level results in 2026 was Northern Ireland.A place where private schools are notable by their scarcity.
— Colm Nugent (@Wigapedia) August 14, 2026
15.
I’m privately educated and I honestly couldn’t care less.
It’s time it was done away with. Stop separating the children of wealth from everyone else. Kids need an even playing field.— Ben Mummery (@ben_mummery) August 13, 2026
It’s not all bad news on the financial front.
In other news, the price of a very small violin remains low https://t.co/8vkSGbTXWz
— Matthew Sweet (@DrMatthewSweet) August 13, 2026
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Source Financial Times Image Pexels