Labour doesn't want to abolish private schools, Sir Keir Starmer insists

Labour is not interested in abolishing private schools, Sir Keir Starmer has said, as he insisted they add "a huge amount" to Britain.

Sir Keir came under fire in a row about aspiration last week over his party's policy to end tax breaks enjoyed by fee-paying institutions.

The Labour leader has said this would raise £1.7 billion, which would go towards improving standards in state education.

However, Sir Keir confirmed on Monday morning he does not want to get rid of existing private schools - a break from a previous position held by Jeremy Corbyn, his predecessor.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't want to abolish private schools. There are very good private schools.

"What we've been talking about in the last week or two is the tax breaks for private schools, which I don't think can be justified.

"And if we were to change that, that money could be used to provide provision into state schools that desperately need it with additional staff, with mental health support, with other support that's needed in our state schools.

"Is it fair to have a tax break for private schools at the same time as state schools are really, really struggling? I think the answer to that question is no. But I'm not talking about, nor am I interested in, abolishing private schools."

Pressed on why he did not want to abolish fee-paying institutions, he replied: "Because I think private schools add a huge amount to this country.

"I think there are very good private schools, and there's no case for abolishing them. And that's why the argument I have been making is about the tax breaks."

Under Mr Corbyn's leadership, Labour's 2019 conference voted for a proposal to "integrate" all schools into the state sector in what came as a major policy shift.

The party's general election manifesto that year pledged: "We will close the tax loopholes enjoyed by elite private schools and use that money to improve the lives of all children, and we will ask the Social Justice Commission to advise on integrating private schools and creating a comprehensive education system."

Sir Keir has kept his predecessor's plan to abolish tax breaks, but has rowed back on plans to get rid of private schools altogether.

On Sunday, Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, branded Rishi Sunak’s defence of tax breaks for private schools “indefensible” in the wake of his row with Sir Keir at Prime Minister's Questions.

However, she added: “I think parents will choose to do what's right by their children. I'm not suggesting we deny parents that opportunity.”