A recent survey of 500 parents with kids in private schools revealed that nearly a third (32%) are considering moving abroad, with one in five planning to do so within the next two years.
Among those mulling over a move, 10% said dodging the VAT on private school fees was a key reason. The Labour Government announced in it’s October budget that private school fees nationwide would be slapped with a 20% VAT from January 1.
While the majority of parents had already thought about relocating before the VAT news, for 61% of them, this change was the catalyst to properly start considering the move.
Many have already started looking into properties, jobs and schools overseas. Top spots for relocation include Spain (35%), Australia (29%), and the UAE (16%).
Over half of the parents cited a better lifestyle as the main reason for wanting to leave the UK. But other reasons included securing a brighter future for their kids and better career opportunities.
They also highlighted higher wages and improved housing as other reasons. However, a significant 32% said their child’s education was their top concern.
For 29% they already knew someone who had already left the UK following the government’s VAT announcement on private school fees.
The study was commissioned by GEMS Education as part of a larger report that found that this is becoming a reality for many families in the UK.
Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, noted: “It is interesting to see that education-leading to a brighter future and greater career opportunities-is one of the key factors driving decisions to move abroad.
“Today, it’s easier than ever for expat families to find high-quality schools offering the National Curriculum for England in various parts of the world.”
For a significant number of parents, private education is the preferred choice for their children, but many say recent budget changes are making it increasingly unaffordable.
If they were to stay in the UK, over a third of these families would have to consider sending their children to state schools due to rising costs. Moreover, 34% would need to work longer hours to cover the extra expenses, while 29% would have to make cutbacks in other areas of their lives.
For many parents, relocating abroad seems like a more practical and attractive option, with potential annual savings of £8,417 by avoiding VAT on private school fees.
Nevertheless, considerable anxieties persist, especially regarding the impact on their children. Nearly half of parents are anxious about their kids leaving friends and family behind, while 42% worry about language barriers, and 40% fear their children will struggle to adjust to a new cultural environment.
Notably, 43% of parents expect their move to be temporary, intending to return to the UK once their children complete their education.
Lisa continued: “Students can seamlessly begin, continue, and complete their schooling abroad, graduating with the same GCSE and A-level qualifications as they would in the UK-enhanced with an international perspective and global citizenship.
“We’re witnessing this trend firsthand at GEMS Education, with an 8% year-on-year increase in British families enrolling in our 44 UAE schools, alongside a 26% year-on-year rise in enquiries from the UK.”
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