Rich 'should pay more tax to help schools'

High earners should pay more tax to subsidise state schools, Tony Blair's former chief speechwriter says today.

Peter Hyman, who left No 10 to work as a classroom assistant at Islington Green School, invented the notorious "bog standard" label Labour once used to describe some comprehensives - but says he would not use the phrase today.

Mr Hyman told BBC Radio 4's Today programme schools needed investment to repair crumbling buildings. "I think there's a growing case ... for a new top rate of tax but I'm not sure Tony Blair is persuaded of that yet," he said.

He urged Mr Blair not to worry about being outflanked by Tories, arguing the public would prefer increased investment in public services to tax cuts.

Mr Hyman left his job as head of the No 10 Strategic Communications Unit in 2003. In 2001, his former colleague Alistair Campbell claimed the day of the "bog-standard comprehensive" was over. Mr Hyman came up with the words.

Today he said: "I'm not sure I'd use the phrase again. I'd probably be lynched in the staffroom."