Keir Starmer’s plan to put VAT on private school fees could be implemented as early as September, Labour’s education spokesman has hinted.
Yesterday Bridget Phillipson said she wanted to ‘act quickly’, saying independent schools have had ‘ample time to prepare’.
But she refused to say when the hike would be introduced, leaving the door open to a raid for the next academic year.
Ms Phillipson told LBC: ‘This would be subject to a process through the Budget if we form the next government… but we will act quickly to do this.’
Labour says the VAT will raise £1.7 billion to spend on state education, including extra teachers.
But campaigners fear it would force some children out of the sector or see schools close, creating pressure on the state system.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: ‘Labour are in chaos over when they are going to hit parents with a tax on education, creating uncertainty for tens of thousands of children.’