Labour U-turns on plan to strip private schools of charitable status
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Private schools would retain some of their tax breaks under a Labour government, after party chiefs U-turned on their pledge to strip such schools of charitable status. In a speech last summer, Sir Keir pledged: “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.” And shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson promised in January that Labour would be “scrapping charitable tax status for private schools to fund the most ambitious state school improvement plan in a generation”. It’s just saying an exemption you have had is going to go.” Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson with Keir Starmer The updated Labour policy means some of the current perks for private schools will remain. They would have to reduce their fees so the additional VAT charged is effectively cost-neutral for the parents.” Ms Brownsell added: “But not every school can do that, in which case the VAT would need to be charged on top of existing fees, which would mean increased costs for parents.” Ms Phillipson insisted it was not a U-turn when she was asked by Mumsnet whether she stood by saying private schools should be stripped of their charity status.