Labour could slap VAT on school fees in September, Shadow Education Sec says sparking fears over state class sizes

LABOUR could slap VAT on school fees as soon as September, the shadow Education Secretary has said.

Despite fears of overwhelming the state sector with students if their parents can no longer afford private fees, Bridget Phillipson insisted schools have had long enough to prepare for the hike.

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In his election manifesto, Sir Keir Starmer said he was committed to removing the tax exemptions on private schools.

Fears are growing that it could lead to a bulge in class sizes in the state sector.

Asked on The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots if the change could come into force in just a few months, the shadow cabinet member refused to rule it out.

She said: “Look, I'm not going to prejudge Rachel Reeves’ first budget if she is the Chancellor and we haven’t won the election year. 

“But what I would say is that this has been our policy for a very long time now, since it was first announced in 2021. 

“So private schools have had ample notice as to the change that a Labour government would bring."

She added: “And the reason we want to introduce this policy, just to be absolutely clear, is because we believe that we need to get more teachers into our classrooms, more teachers in subjects like maths and science, where we've got big shortages at the moment.

“It will come in through the usual processes that are determined through a budget, through the parliamentary timetable and as set out in the budget that a Labour Chancellor will deliver if, if we have that opportunity to do so.

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“Well, I don't think Rachel Reeves would be very happy with me if I were to reveal the date of a budget.”

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The manifesto costings say the change will raise £1.5billion and help pay for 6,500 new expert teachers.

Asked previously when worried parents could expect the fee increase, he said: “As soon as it can be done.

“Obviously, there will have to be financial statements. It is a question of the timetable in Parliament.

"But these first steps are intended to be done straight away.”