Chippy Phillipson hits back at critics of Labour's private school tax plans

Publication Source

1. Labour MPs shun conference invitation from private school heads to discuss the party's plan to introduce VAT on fees | Daily Mail

2. Labour will press on with VAT for arrogant private schools | The Times

3. Private schools group is arrogant, says Bridget Phillipson | Telegraph

4. Labour refuses to back down on its proposed tax on private schools | Daily Mail

5. Chinese will shun British private schools if Labour adds VAT to fees | The Times

Bridget Phillipson has hit back at critics of Labour’s plans to strip private schools of tax exemptions.

The shadow education secretary responded to reports in the Guardian from June, which suggested that officials at the Independent Schools Council (ISC) described Ms Phillipson as “very chippy” in private messages.

She told the final day of the Labour Party Conference that “chippy people make the change that matters”.

She added that “high and rising standards cannot just be for families who can afford them” as she revealed Labour’s plans to reform early years education provision.

Ms Phillipson said: “Conference, we know what the private schools lobby think of our ambition. They were arrogant enough to write it down. ‘Chippy’.