Lecturers in strike action threat

Lecturers at a Warwickshire college have warned they will strike if it seeks compulsory redundancies.

North Warwickshire and Hinckley College has said it needs to axe about 40 posts after the government withdrew £10m of funding for adult learning courses.

It has written to its 800 lecturers and support staff asking for voluntary redundancies.

The University and College Union (UCU) said it would hold a protest at the Nuneaton campus on Thursday.

The college has said the job cuts were regrettable but necessary because it had lost about 10% of its budget.

'Damaged' reputation

But the UCU said it would take industrial action if the college sought compulsory redundancies.

It said the college was recently graded "outstanding" by Ofsted inspectors.

Local branch member Julia Wallis said: "The union fully understands the problems the college faces with budgets being tightened.

"However, this is a nationwide problem, not something exclusive to North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

"What we do not understand is the motivation to axe staff, offer a cheapened learning experience for students and seriously damage the college's fine reputation."

College principal Marion Plant said: "We can understand why union members felt the need to protest against national funding cuts.

"Nobody is more frustrated than the college executive team by this government decision, but unfortunately it is a decision we as a college have no control over."