Labour's deputy leader Angela Rayner branded private schools a 'waste of money' as she stepped up the party's war on independent education.
Ms Rayner, who left school at 16 with no qualifications, said students can do 'just as well' at their local comprehensive as they can at a fee-paying institution.
She was commenting on controversial remarks from activist and former TV presenter Carol Vorderman, who was branded 'condescending' after criticising a privately-educated minister for not going to university.
Labour has proposed levying VAT on private schools to raise £1.6billion for its spending commitments - although some experts have warned the amount this policy will raise is likely to be far less.
Ms Rayner told Sky News: 'Carol is right to argue that if you've been privately educated and not been able to get a degree, why waste your money on private education?
'The state sector is a fantastic sector - they did a great job with me. It wasn't my teachers' fault that I left without any qualifications - but look how resilient I am, they taught me some great life skills.
'Don't waste your money on private schooling, you can do just as well in our state sector.'
