PUPILS face learning in bigger classes under Labour’s school tax plan, a senior party figure has admitted.
The risk of overcrowding could follow an exodus from private schools as Sir Keir Starmer plans to add 20 per cent VAT to fees.
Tories say the levy will see children flood the state sector as some parents will no longer be able to afford to pay.
Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry told GB News: “If we have to, in the short term, have larger classes, we have larger classes.”
She was responding to forecasts saying 40,000 fee-paying children might have to move to state schools.
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About the potential mass exodus, Ms Thornberry said: “If I have a choice between putting VAT on private schools and making sure that the children in my area can have breakfast before they start learning, I know where I am.
“That’s what our priority is, and we need to raise the money from somewhere.”
Sir Keir says ending the tax break to raise £1.7billion to spend on 6,500 new teachers will be done as soon as possible if Labour gains power.
But the private sector has warned smaller schools may be affected the most rather than big names such as Eton.
The Labour boss has repeatedly brushed off claims that slapping 20 per cent VAT on independent schools will put a strain on the state system.
But Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Labour admitted their tax raid will lead to larger classes in state schools, punishing children to pay for their plans.
“It’s not just hard-working parents who pay the price with £2,094 of extra taxes, it’s also children who will be impacted by Labour’s politics of envy.”
