The Labour Party has voted to make abolishing private schools part of their election manifesto.

They would ‘integrate all private schools into the state sector’.

This would include withdrawal of charitable status and ‘all other public subsidies and tax privileges’, including business rate exemption.

The motion adds universities would have to admit the same proportion of private school students as in the wider population, currently 7%.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said she will task the Social Mobility Commission – which the party would rename the Social Justice Commission – with ‘integrating private schools’.

She added: ‘We will set that commission to making the whole education system fairer through the integration of private schools.

‘Myself and John McDonnell will set out further steps the Labour government will take, but I can say today that our very first budget will immediately close the tax loopholes used by elite private schools and use that money to improve the lives of all children.’

Momentum’s national coordinator Laura Parker said: ‘This is a huge step forward in dismantling the privilege of a tiny, Eton educated elite who are running our country into the ground.

‘Every child deserves a world class education, not only those who are able pay for it, and I’ll be proud to campaign on this manifesto pledge at the next election.’

Holly Rigby, from the Abolish Eton campaign, said: ‘We are delighted that Labour has committed to integrating all private schools into the state sector and that it will feature in the next manifesto.

‘This huge leap forward is a testament to the hard work of grassroots Labour members and the ambition and determination of Angela Rayner and John McDonnell.

‘They have worked with and listened to members every step of the way, writing this policy hand in hand with the movement. This is what a democratic Labour Party looks like.

‘We will dismantle systems of privilege and inequality and build a society that works for the millions and not the millionaires.’

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