Parents from an Ascot private school have launched a campaign against a 'VAT raid' - proposed by Labour - stating that this would disadvantage families who are “not wealthy”.

The campaign which started on Monday (22/1) will call on Sir Keir Starmer to listen to the concerns of working-class families who ‘often sacrifice’ to send their children to private school.

This comes after the Labour Party proposed a flagship policy to add 20 per cent VAT on independent school fees and the removal of business rate relief private schools currently receive.

Just four days following the campaign launch by LVS parent Tony Perry, and an additional 30,000 signatures have been collected by parents who may be affected by the proposed change.

Tony Perry, 46, an NHS data analyst unveiled the campaign alongside other LVS Ascot parents, most of whom pay upwards of £15,000 a year for their child's education.

Mr Perry, the father of two, moved his son Norman, 10, to the prestigious Berkshire school because of his ADHD and dyslexia and was falling behind in a state school.

He told The Telegraph in an interview that although the state school was doing its best, the family felt that they needed to ‘make the choice to help him catch up’.

He has witnessed his son 'transform' during his time at the school.

“As a non-wealthy parent sending a child to private school, I am disappointed by Labour’s determination to charge VAT on private school fees,” he explained.

“Charging VAT won’t hurt the wealthy students attending public schools like Winchester, where Mr [Rishi] Sunak studied. It will hurt many others, however. Before enacting such a policy, it would help to hear the voices of parents who choose, and often sacrifice, to send their child to private school.”

Christine Cunniffe, Principal of LVS Ascot has expressed her pride at the national interest that this campaign has received.

She said: “Tony Perry’s parent campaign against VAT on school fees has been launched this week and has raised considerable interest nationally.

“The campaign has increased awareness of the potential issues surrounding VAT on school fees for parents, with support demonstrated by an additional 30,000 signatories this week. 

“We are proud that one of our parents has founded this vehicle for parents across the country to raise their concerns and share their individual stories.”

The petition states that “private schools aren’t simply playgrounds of the wealthy” with some fees being described as “punitive”.

Labour has said its VAT policy will not apply for children with a special educational need where their school place is allocated on the basis of an Education and Health Care Plan. It declined to comment on the campaign.