PROTESTS against funding cuts were held at four North-East colleges yesterday.

Staff at Redcar and Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Bishop Auckland and South Tyneside colleges are angry that budgets have been slashed by the Learning and Skills Council.

Redcar and Cleveland College has announced that up to 50 jobs could go at the college, as bosses wrestle with a £2m reduction in funding.

At Bishop Auckland College, 120 jobs are at risk.

Staff were yesterday handing out leaflets to students and visitors during the lunch break to raise awareness.

Students also supported the protest by sending their comments to the town’s parliamentary candidates.

Principal Anne Isherwood said: “The college understands the reason for this campaign.

“Given the difficult circumstances created by a reduction in the adult funding, the college is having to make significant savings which may result in job losses.”

A further 60 jobs could go at South Tyneside College.

At Middlesbrough College, the principal has informed staff that the cuts will hit the college, but further details are not yet known.

The University and College Union (UCU) branch has voted overwhelmingly to ballot for industrial action, should there be compulsory job losses.

UCU regional official Jon Bryan said: “All the tough talk about education cuts has moved on and it is no longer just figures on paper.

“People are losing their jobs and access to education is disappearing.”

Nationally, £200m has been cut from the further education budget.