Labour to add VAT to private school fees immediately if it wins power

Labour says the policy could raise £1.7 billion to invest in state schools.
Labour would strip charitable status from independent schools (David Jones/PA)
PA Wire
Sophie Wingate25 September 2023
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Labour would add VAT to private school fees immediately if it wins power at the next general election.

The party said it does not plan to “phase in” the change over several academic years if it enters Downing Street.

Instead, it is understood it will end the tax breaks enjoyed by private schools as soon as possible, as first reported by the i newspaper.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to remove the charitable status from independent schools, which gives them at least 80% relief on business rates.

Labour says the policy could raise £1.7 billion to invest in state schools.

A party spokesman said: “While this out-of-touch, out-of-ideas, tired Tory government tinkers at the edges, briefing about plans they may or may not see through in five years’ time, Labour makes no apology for relentless focus on how to drive high and rising standards in our state schools.

“Because we are the party of fair taxes, we will end the unjustifiable tax break afforded to private schools and fund recruitment of over 6,500 more teachers and put access to mental health counselling in every school.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy notice .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in