With Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stating that private schools have had “ample time to prepare” for Labour’s tax raid and indicating that VAT on fees could be imposed as early as January, parents are increasingly anxious about their ability to afford higher fees and the future of their children’s private education.
With this in mind, Digital PR Agency experts analysed Google search volumes to uncover what actions the public are considering regarding schooling under the Labour government.
Interest in homeschooling has surged by 300% since Labour landslide
Google Trends has indicated a significant shift among parents towards homeschooling following the election, perhaps due to Labour’s proposed VAT policy on private schools.
Searches for “How does homeschooling work” soared by 300% between the 3rd-11th of July. Likewise, “Pros and cons of homeschooling” rose by 200% following Labour’s victory.
Many parents are now considering private scholarships or state school options
To manage raised private school fees, many parents could be exploring scholarship opportunities. This trend is reflected in the 50% surge in searches for “fully funded scholarships” following the election. Concerns for specific private schools are highlighted by an astounding 1,150% increase in interest for the “Eton scholarship” following Keir Starmer’s landslide victory.
Searches for “best state secondary schools in UK” rose by 80%, and searches for “how many state schools in the UK” increased by 50% between July 3rd and 11th. This suggests many parents are concerned they may not be able to afford private education under Labour’s plans and are considering state options.
Concern over private school fees surge by 250%
The recent election has caused parents to reconsider their children’s schooling ages. Searches for “what is the compulsory school leaving age UK” surged by 90%, highlighting concerns about the legal age for leaving school.
Additionally, queries for “tax-free childcare” and “labour private school tax” both increased by 60%, indicating growing financial anxieties that are influencing parents’ decisions regarding the optimal timing for their children to begin and conclude their education. This is further underscored by a 250% increase in searches related to prestigious private school fees such as “Channing School fees” and “Caterham School fees”.
This research shows that parents across the country are increasingly concerned about the affordability and future of private education for their children. The surge in Google searches related to homeschooling, scholarships, and state schools mirrors this concern, as many parents now seek alternative schooling options and financial plans in response to possible policy shifts, as they closely monitor developments on their children’s educational paths.
