What are the education plans for Labour and the Liberal Democrats?

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have unveiled their election pledges on education.

Tim Farron said schools and colleges will receive a £7 billion spending boost if the Lib Dems get into power.

Meanwhile Jeremy Corbyn said Labour plans to fund a £5 billion increase in education by hiking corporation tax to 26% by 2021/22.

  • What is included in Labour's education plans?

Credit: ITV News

In plans announced on Wednesday, Jeremy Corbyn said there would be an increase in funding - estimated to cost £5.66 billion a year by the end of parliament - with £4.8 billion going to English schools.

All primary schools would get free school meals.

The education maintenance allowance for college students will be restored. This was worth £30 a week in England when it was scrapped in 2010.

Maintenance grants for university students would be restored.

Fees on courses for adult learners looking to improve skills or retrain would be scrapped.

However when asked by ITV News whether a Labour government would abolish tuition fees - worth up to £9,250 a year at English universities - Mr Corbyn remained tight-lipped and said "you'll have to wait for the manifesto."

Mr Corbyn had previously suggested his party would scrap the fees and fund them through higher taxation.

After his visit, footage emerged of shadow chancellor John McDonnell being applauded in Mansfield after saying Labour's education plans "means scrapping tuition fees once and for all so we don't burden our kids with debt in the future".

  • What is included in the education plans for the Liberal Democrats?

Lib Dem education spokeswoman Sarah Olney said: "Children are being taught in overcrowded classes by overworked teachers - but Theresa May doesn't care.

"This extra £7 billion of funding would ensure no school and no child loses out.

"We will reverse crippling Conservative cuts to school budgets and invest to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed."The Lib Dem education plan includes £3.3 billion being spent on protecting per pupil funding in school.

They will spend £600 million doing the same in colleges.

An additional £1.26 billion would go to ensure no school loses out from the national funding formula.

  • What have other parties said?

David Gauke pictured alongside Philip Hammond. Credit: PA

Ministers have repeatedly argued that school funding is at record levels, and this would increase further as pupil numbers rise over the next two years.

In addition, the Tories have accused Jeremy Corbyn of breaking a promise not to raise corporation tax for small businesses.

Under Labour's plans, firms with profits below £300,000 would see their rate of corporation tax increase from 19% to 21%.

Mr Corbyn said: "When it comes to small business, the backbone of our economy, a Labour government will restore small profits rates and make only a modest increase."

Plans set out by Philip Hammond for the UK would see the rate fall to 17% in 2024.

Tory chief secretary to the Treasury David Gauke said: "Jeremy Corbyn would drop a tax bombshell on every small business and working family in Britain to pay for his nonsensical policies."

His view was echoed by Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, who told Today Labour's corporation tax rise amounted to "one of the biggest tax increases in the last 30 years or so".