DOZENS of sixth form colleges will be striking today against “savage” funding cuts.

National Education Union (NEU) members in 25 colleges will stand on picket lines against the £700 million shortfall in funding.

Workers claim that the shortfall has a negative impact on staff and the life chances of students, and could potentially lead to the closure of many colleges.

They are demanding an end to job losses, class size increases and teaching time cuts, and that decent pay and working conditions are upheld.

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.”