HM Treasury (Autumn Budget 2024)'s pledge

To help fund the government’s priorities for education and young people it is delivering on its commitment to charge VAT on private school fees and to remove business rates charitable relief in England.

Made under the 2024 to 2026 Starmer Labour government, as GOV.UK labels it.

Made 2024-10-30 · Where it was made · archived copy · Government publication

What the official figures show

Pupils in independent schools in England, January 2024 (baseline)

593000pupils

2026-10-23 · Department for Education, Schools, pupils and their characteristics · receipt

Pupils in independent schools in England, January 2026 (latest)

560300pupils

2026-10-23 · Department for Education, Schools, pupils and their characteristics · receipt

These figures are repeated from their sources and update automatically. We don't say whether the pledge has been kept.