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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Lizzy Buchan

Labour private school fees crackdown set to raise £10million from Eton alone

Scrapping Eton's tax breaks would pay for hundreds of teachers in areas where pupils are falling behind, Labour has revealed.

The elite boarding school - attended by both Boris Johnson and David Cameron - was handed a £10.6million subsidy last year as parents did not have to pay VAT on fees.

Eton’s fee income last year was £53.2million last year, which amounts to at least £10.6million in missed VAT, according to the party's analysis.

The money could have paid for at least 186 teachers in constituencies where heads are struggling to get staff, according to the party's analysis.

Labour wants to strip the charitable status from private schools, which it says would raise £1.7billion to funnel into the state education system.

Eton's fee income was £53.2million last year (Getty)

But Rishi Sunak opposes the plan. The Mirror has previously revealed that Mr Sunak is set to spend £63,000 on private school fees for his two daughters this year, which would hand him a £12,700 saving, thanks to the VAT exemption.

Shadow Schools Minister Stephen Morgan said: “By ending private schools tax breaks, Labour will fund thousands of new teachers, filling vacancies and ensuring every child is supported to thrive.

"The Tories promised a good school place no matter where children live, but they are letting families down by letting vacancies spiral while protecting tax breaks for the richest.

"It’s time for Rishi Sunak to stand-up to vested interests and end these bogus tax breaks so we can invest in every child’s education."

Keir Starmer challenged Mr Sunak on the issue during a fierce PMQs clash last week.

Rishi Sunak has refused to axe tax breaks for private schools (AFP via Getty Images)

Bur Mr Sunak accused the Labour leader of “attacking the hardworking aspiration of millions of people in this country”.

The PM said: “He is attacking people like my parents. This is a country that believes in opportunity, not resentment. He doesn’t understand that, and that’s why he’s not fit to lead.”

It comes after the Tories shelved their "unworkable" Schools Bill only months after the long-awaited blueprint was unveiled.

In another major U-turn for the Government, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan revealed that the already watered-down legislation had now been ditched.

Ms Keegan told MPs that the legislation "will not progress" any further as parliamentary time was being saved for measures to tackle the economic crisis.

But Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was clear the Tories had "no idea" what to do about education.

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