THOUSANDS of college workers are on strike again tomorrow over “savage” attacks on education funding and working conditions.

National Education Union (NEU) members in 25 sixth forms across the country are taking their second day of action against the government’s cuts to funding for 16-19 education.

Government statistics show that real-terms funding per student has fallen by 16 per cent since 2010.

The NEU estimates that Education Secretary Gavin Williamson’s new plans have left a £700 million shortfall in cash for post-16 educational institutions, creating huge stress for college staff.

The union is arguing for pay parity between school and sixth-form college staff and for Mr Williamson to secure the funding they say they need to sustain the provision of decent education in British colleges.

It is also calling on the government to address workplace anger over job losses and workloads that staff say are unmanageable.

NEU joint general secretary Kevin Courtney said: “Sixth-form colleges have always been a beacon of quality, but funding cuts have had a savage impact on pay, conditions and jobs and have driven far too many colleges towards merger or closure. 

“Strike action is always a last option, but our members believe that it is necessary in order to solve our dispute and help save the sector and ensure future generations have the choice and opportunity for study that our local sixth form provides.

“With a general election on the December 12, we also want prospective parliamentary candidates to support our call for higher funding of our sixth-form colleges as a priority for their party.”