Taxpayers forked out £1.5million to help send Army officers’ children to top public schools in the past year.
A total of £668,000 of public money alone was given to Defence Secretary Ben Wallace ’s old school Millfield in Somerset - which already rakes in £42million a year from rich parents.
Just half a mile down the road is an academy school that is among the worst funded in the country.
The figure emerged as the nation is plunged into a cost of living crisis. All Armed Forces members can get private education fees for children partially covered by taxpayers – but it is largely taken up by highly paid officers.
The money is dished out by the MoD under a Continuity of Education Allowance, which covers 10% of boarding school fees for forces parents so spouses can accompany them on postings around the world.
Eton, which has fees of £44,094, collected £172,000 of CEA cash, while £164,000 went to Ampleforth, £125,000 to Rugby, £118,000 to Harrow and £98,000 to Prince Charles’ school Gordonstoun.
Millfield School, in Street, Somerset, charges boarders £43,830 a year while nearby state run Crispin Academy has taxpayer funding of just £5,682 per pupil, £1,000 less than the national average.
The figures were revealed by Defence Minister Leo Docherty in answer to a Parliamentary question by Labour MP Emily Thornberry. He said 4,700 children of forces personnel benefited from the scheme last year costing £81.3million involving many private schools.
Labour MP Kevan Jones, who sits on the defence select committee, said: “In light of cuts to the MoD’s budget in last year’s Autumn Statement, it is important it justifies this investment.” The MoD said: “Our Armed Forces are asked to move frequently. The education allowance, boosted by individual contributions, is only claimed by qualifying personnel.”
