Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

Lingering hopes that Sir Keir Starmer might edge away from Labour’s commitment to impose 20% VAT on school fees appear to have been dashed following the Labour leader’s comments in an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

Sir Kier said he would roll out Labour’s plan to impose VAT on independent school fees “straight away” if the party wins the General Election.

Asked whether VAT would go on fees “from day one of a Labour government”, Sir Kier replied: “As soon as it can be done. Obviously there will have to be financial statements etc. It is a question of the timetable in Parliament. But these first steps are intended to be done straight away.”