Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to end private schools’ exemption from VAT.
He first committed to the policy in September 2021 but reaffirmed it in a speech in Gateshead on Monday in which he also promised to move away from the “arms race of fantasy economics” on offer from Tory leadership hopefuls.
In a speech that criticised how candidates for the Conservative leadership went along with Boris Johnson’s tax rises, Sir Keir said: “When I say we are going to pay for kids to catch up at school, I also say it’ll be funded by removing private schools’ charitable status.”
Under current rules, independent school fees are exempt from VAT.
