LABOUR will add VAT to private school fees within a year if it wins the next election.
Sir Keir Starmer’s party said it does not plan to phase in the VAT fee over several academic years.
It says it will raise £1.7billion for state schools.
But Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has warned it could close some private schools and put pressure on the state sector.
Tory MP Nicola Richards added: “Tax on aspiration, classic Labour.”
A Labour party spokesman said: “Labour makes no apology for relentless focus on how to drive high and rising standards in our state schools.”