It would be inappropriate to comment on the recent difficulties faced by Weymouth College but timely to remind everyone of the financial difficulties faced by FE colleges as a direct result of government education policy.

At the moment, schools are given a rebate on the VAT they pay, but FE colleges are not.

There can be no good reason to penalise these establishments like this.

The government claims to be in favour of choice and is allowing free schools, funded from the education budget, to set up wherever a group of parents choose. At the same time the finances of FE colleges are being squeezed more than in schools.

Does this policy give parents and students a really fair choice?

Weymouth College offers a valuable educational option for many post 16-year-olds in the region. With increased bus fares many cannot afford to travel elsewhere – to Dorchester, for example.

Participants in the town centre masterplan consultation believe the college could offer good training opportunities in partnership with new companies that we need to attract to the town. To ensure this resource is well placed to deliver courses in the future, we need to ensure its current financial health is as robust as possible.

One way to do this would be to give it, and all other FE colleges, a refund on the VAT paid.

A government e-petition has already collected over 5,000 signatures. It is circulating around the whole country and needs 100,000 signatures in order for the government to consider debating the matter in the House of Commons.

We urge pupils, students, parents, carers and local employers to sign this.

Along with all FE colleges, Weymouth College is a valuable facility in our community and deserves to be treated fairly.

The petition can be found online at epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/72039

Jane Burnet, Green Party Parliamentary candidate, South Dorset