Labour has vowed to put an end to tax breaks for private schools if the party gets into power. It will use the money to fund the “most ambitious school improvement programme for a generation”, the shadow education secretary has said.
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Bridget Phillipson said the party would bring a "fresh vision" for education if Kier Starmer became Prime Minister. She spoke about the need for a curriculum that “values and nurtures creativity, alongside academic success” and announced a Labour government would target the tax breaks enjoyed by private schools, most of which have charitable status, giving them at least 80% relief on business rates.
She also announced Labour would build a “modern childcare system”. This would inlcude “breakfast clubs for every child in every primary school in England”.
The Labour frontbencher said: “Life should not come down to luck. That is why I am determined that every child, in every school, in every corner of our country, should have the best possible start. So we need a fresh vision of that education. One that looks to the future, not the past. A curriculum that prizes skills as well as knowledge, that values and nurtures creativity alongside academic success.
“We need an education system that enables every child to achieve and thrive. Our priorities will define that vision. “Conference, that is why we will end the tax breaks private schools enjoy.”
The hall broke into applause and cheers, before she added: “We will use that money to deliver the most ambitious school improvement programme for a generation. Recruiting thousands more teachers to help children excel in science and maths and thrive with access to sport, art, music and drama.”
Ms Phillipson said: “As the first step on that road, today I can announce that we will introduce breakfast clubs for every child in every primary school in England”.
Labour also passed an emergency motion on free school meals. It called on Labour leadership to “take up the calls of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ campaign and commit to rolling out universal free school meals for all pupils in primary and secondary schools”.
