The prime minister said Labour's approach "illustrates that they don't understand the aspiration of families like my parents who were working really hard".
Sunak said his parents "wanted to do something for their kids that they thought would make a difference to them. Labour's approach to that is to clamp down on it". He added: "They don't understand the aspiration that people have to provide a better life for their kids. They want to punish them for that as part of some class war. I don't think that is right."
The opposition had clarified that it intended to raise about £1.5bn through tax changes such as adding VAT to school fees, without stripping them of charitable status - as Starmer and other shadow ministers had previously suggested.
The Conservatives are seeking to use the change in policy stance to accuse Labour of flip-flopping. But a Labour source said polling was "actually supportive of the party's current policy so we're happy we have the opportunity to explain our offering to the public".
Bridget Phillipson, the shadow education secretary, said it was not necessary for the party to end private schools' charitable status.
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