Keir Starmer Caught in Controversy Over His Education Claims – Misleading the Public

Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, has been accused of not being entirely truthful about his education. The founder of a social mobility charity, Sir Peter Lampl, claims Starmer has suggested he went to a state school when he actually attended Reigate Grammar School, which later became a private school. 

Sir Peter, who also went to Reigate Grammar, criticized the government’s plan to add VAT (a type of tax) to private school fees. He said this move would harm children’s access to extracurricular activities and damage the private education sector. 

When Starmer joined Reigate Grammar, it was funded by the local council, but it became a private school two years later. Starmer received financial support from the council to continue his studies until sixth form, as did other students who started before the school became private. 

Sir Peter, who advised the Blair government on education, said Starmer should focus on making private schools more accessible to a wider range of students instead of taxing them. He also accused Starmer of downplaying the fact that Reigate Grammar is now a private school. 

The government’s plan to add VAT to private school fees is meant to raise £1.7 billion a year to improve state schools, which face issues like aging buildings, teacher shortages, and tight budgets. 

A government spokesperson said this change would help fund more teachers, raise standards, and give all children a better chance in life.