Meacher in VAT plea

OLDHAM West and Royton MP Michael Meacher is demanding the Government scrap a tax on sixth-form - form colleges, fearing damage to educational standards.

Sixth-form colleges pay VAT on books, equipment and other purchases, while schools and academies can reclaim these costs. Mr Meacher is among 74 cross-party MPs calling for a level playing field.

He said removing the VAT requirement would save schools around £20 million a year.