LECTURERS at 89 colleges are to ballot on strike action after a survey by their union revealed today a “workforce in crisis” in further education.

The survey of 2,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU) at colleges in England found that 96 per cent of lecturers were struggling financially because of low wages and 79 per cent said that financial problems were affecting their mental health.

Almost half — 46 per cent — said their income does not cover their cost of living, 67 per cent heat their homes less frequently, 27 per cent are skipping meals and 6 per cent have had to use foodbanks.