Defence bosses spent £83m last year on private school for officers’ kids but just £78m on soldiers with PTSD

DEFENCE bosses spent more last year on private school fees for officers’ kids than in a decade on soldiers with PTSD.

Campaigners have hit out at the “elite education perks” provided by the MoD at taxpayers’ expense.

3

3

They forked out £83million to subsidise schooling in 2020, but just £78million in ten years to 3,515 fighters suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some 2,980 military personnel used the MoD’s Continuity of Education Allowance scheme to pay for 4,430 school places.

It funds 90 per cent of fees, with parents paying the rest.

Last year, the scheme paid for ten kids to attend £42,500-a-year Eton.

Another ten went to £38,250-per-year Gordonstoun in Scotland.

The biggest subsidy to a single family was £107,541.

Most cash goes to kids of top-rank personnel.

Some 890 children of “Rank 4” officers — a Major in the Army — benefit.

3

Only 40 kids of lowest-ranked staff — equivalent to an Army private — used the scheme.

It was put in place so kids could remain at the same school when their parents were posted elsewhere.

Most read in UK News

GONE TOO SOON

Schoolboy, 6, dies suddenly in 'fall' as tributes paid to 'wonderful pupil'

SMASH TRAGEDY

Woman hit and killed by car 'while carrying Xmas presents' in horror crash

DOG ATTACK

Owner 'refused to destroy XL Bully after attack' year before it mauled baby girl

LOOKIN' RUFF

My dog is the UK's ugliest and people always do same thing when they meet him

John O’Connell, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers will be taken aback by the cost of these elite education perks.

“It’s fine to give someone 90 per cent of a company car but that doesn’t mean 90 per cent of a Lamborghini.”

The MoD said: “We offer support to all personnel to help maintain continuous education and provide stability for children.”