Labour say their plan to increase schools funding and introduce free, lifelong education in colleges is at the heart of its commitment to create a society run for the many not the few.
Labour say their plans will be funded from the £19.4 billion that will be raised by reversing the Conservative government’s cuts to corporation tax. Labour has previously announced extending free school meals to all primary age children will be funded by levying VAT on private school fees.
Labour’s key pledges are:
- Stop the cuts to school budgets with a real terms increase in funding
- Reduce class sizes to under 30 for all five, six and seven year olds
- Free school meals for all primary school children
- Restore education maintenance allowance for college students
- Restore student grants for university students
- Scrap fees on courses for adult learners looking to re-train or upskill
Commenting on the proposals the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn said: "Labour will do things differently. Our new National Education Service will transform our schools and education system to ensure a future for the many not the few. We will reverse the Conservatives’ tax giveaways to big business and put money back where it belongs, in our schools, our colleges and our communities."
The Conservatives took to twitter to criticise Jeremy Corbyn for saying he'd raise Corporation tax: "Only a month ago Corbyn promised small biz he wouldn’t increase their corporation tax rate, today confirms he would! More Labour broken promises" The Conservatives provided a quote from April "Corbyn to small biz in April: ‘I want to make it clear today that we will not raise the small business corporation tax rate' Corbyn today says Labour will restore small business profits rates and increase taxes. Another Labour broken promise"
