Exclusive

‘No magic wand’ to recruit more teachers as Starmer insists removing ‘tax breaks’ for private schools is ‘tough choice’

18 June 2024, 09:35 | Updated: 18 June 2024, 10:13

Sir Keir Starmer speaks to LBC
Sir Keir Starmer speaks to LBC. Picture: Alamy
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour's policy to end the VAT exemption for independent schools is a "tough choice" but said there is no "magic wand" to recruit more teachers in the state sector.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Labour has pledged to remove private schools’ exemption of paying 20% VAT if it wins the general election and hopes to raise about £1.5bn a year to increase investment into state schools.

Sir Keir has repeatedly said he respects the decision of parents to send their children to private schools, though said 6,500 more teachers are needed in state schools.

The Labour leader was taken to task over Labour's plans to remove the tax break for private schools as he spoke exclusively to LBC's Nick Ferrari.

Nick Ferrari questions Keir Starmer on how Labour will pay for teachers in schools with SEND pupils

Michelle Catterson, head of Moon Hall School in Reigate, which caters for dyslexic children, told us she thinks the policy means Labour does not care about youngsters with special needs.

Sir Keir replied: "Well, Michelle, we do care. I want every single child, whether they go to private or state school, to have the same opportunities. It really matters to me."

He said Labour's policy would provide an exemption for children who have a plan in place and cannot get the help they need in the state sector, and promised to respond to a letter the headteacher had sent him.

"There is no magic wand," Sir Keir told LBC, adding that it was a "tough choice".

Read More: 'It would be foolish to write five years worth of budgets now': Starmer refuses to rule out council tax rises under Labour

During this morning's phone-in, Sir Keir repeatedly insisted the economy was in a "difficult state", which means the party is not able to do as much as it would like should it win the election.

This includes a decision not to scrap the two-child benefit cap, which experts say could lift one million children out of poverty.

"I know how strongly Gordon Brown feels strongly about it. One of the problems in politics is before an election people promise to do a b and c and after they don't do. I want a different approach," Sir Keir told Nick.

Pressed by Nick on why the cap will not be lifted when Reform UK's Nigel Farage has pledged to do so, Sir Keir hit back and said their manifesto is not fully funded.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Police at the scene in central London on Monday at 'Fast Eddie's' mansion

Three knifed at playboy’s notorious £15m London mansion where Bonnie Blue filmed sex party

The body of Scottish businessman Campbell Scott was found in a remote area 60 miles from Nairobi

Scottish businessman's body found in sack in Kenya with 'his hands and feet bound with rope'

A Biscoff ice cream product has been recalled

Popular Biscoff treat urgently recalled from shelves amid health fears after 'undeclared' allergy risk discovered

Polish Armed Forces Day Celebrated In Warsaw, Poland

NATO scrambles warplanes in Poland after Russia launches latest strikes on Ukraine

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal manager) applauds the fans on the final whistle at the Arsenal v West Ham United

'Over my dead body': Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta won't concede Premier League title to Liverpool

Amanda Pritchard's resignation as Chief Executive is expected to be confirmed this afternoon

NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard to step down from her role

Jose Mourinho was appointed Fenerbahce manager in 2024

Galatasaray accuse Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho of making 'racist statements'

Exclusive
Ofcom will 'name and shame' social media companies that don't take action to cut down abuse of women and girls

Social media companies to be 'named and shamed' for not protecting women and girls online, Ofcom chief tells LBC

Video footage shows police rushing towards the Hart Space during the attack

Horror footage shows moment police rush towards Southport dance studio while killer is still inside

Registered XL Bully dogs must be housed securely, neutered, kept on a lead and muzzled in public

Man in his 80s seriously injured after XL bully attack in Warrington

Ocean Infinity is searching for the downed plane

British team launches 'final search' for MH370, in bid to solve mystery of vanished plane 11 years on

The BBC has pulled the documentary from iPlayer while it does more 'due diligence'

BBC Gaza documentary cameraman ‘celebrated October 7 attacks’ as cost of film is revealed

Bessborough Road, where the crash took place

Pedestrian in her 40s killed in London bus crash as car driver arrested for dangerous driving

Energy bills are set to rise again

Energy bills to increase again as price cap rises more than expected

Exclusive
Boris Johnson has said the UK should spend more on defence

UK should spend 3% of GDP on defence and could send up to 10,000 troops to Ukraine, Boris Johnson tells LBC

Mitchell Ring was forced to sit near the body for several hours

Couple forced to sit next to dead woman for hours after she collapsed on long-haul flight