Emily Thornberry’s larger class sizes claim ‘not right’, Labour colleague says

Labour’s shadow education secretary has distanced herself from Emily Thornberry’s suggestion that the party’s plan to add VAT to private school fees would lead to larger class sizes in the state sector.

The shadow attorney general said on Sunday: “It would be fine if we have to, in the short term, have larger classes” amid concerns the move could force pupils to leave private schools.

Bridget Phillipson rejected the comments, telling the BBC on Monday, 10 June: “That is not our policy.

“I’m afraid there’s been some misunderstanding there.”