Some private schools in the UK are avoiding passing on the entire VAT rise to students amid a large income tax collection from Hong Kong

Hong Kong parents who send their children to private, independent schools in the UK may not face as large a tuition hike as feared due to a looming 20% ​​increase in value-added tax (VAT), according to educators and a consultant.

The UK government is expected on Wednesday to announce its final decision on the introduction of 20 per cent VAT on private school fees from January 1 next year, following a two-month consultation.

The principal of one school told the Post that the institution is looking for other sources of income to offset the increased fee while other operators try to reduce expenses.

Sylvia Brett, principal of Harrogate Ladies’ College, said the school would not pass on the entire 20 per cent VAT to students, including those from Hong Kong, noting that parents had worked hard to ensure their children could benefit from a range of education options in the UK .

“I don’t want Hong Kong parents to think they are less important because of our government’s decision to include VAT,” she told The Post.

The school, located in North Yorkshire, has approximately 600 students, including 21 from Hong Kong, aged 11 to 18. The institution claims to have been accepting students from this city for almost 30 years.