A think tank is advising Labour’s shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson to facilitate “routes to conversion” into the state sector for private schools set to struggle financially after the imposition of VAT on school fees following a Labour election victory, The Sunday Times has reported.

The Private Education Policy Forum (PEPF) has been advising Labour on the policy since it was devised by the party’s then leader Jeremy Corbyn in 2017.

A PRPF spokesman said: “Changes to VAT and ethical imperatives among heads may encourage some to switch.”

Proposals could include eliminating red tape, help with switching pupils and staff, and helping councils in the management of school places.