STAFF and students at Coleg Gwent gathered at the Newport City Campus yesterday [Wednesday] to protest against what is being called a “savage” 50 per cent cut in funding to adult education.

Last week teaching union the University and College Union said Coleg Gwent is to lose 6,000 students because of Welsh Government cuts for 2015/16.

Around 60 lecturers face redundancy as well as 70 support staff, including technicians and caretakers, meaning students could see 50,000 fewer teaching hours.

In March, the college announced the cuts after the Welsh Government reduced funding for part time courses by 50 per cent for 2015, and slashed all other funding by 2.6 per cent.

Yesterday members of further education trade unions, staff and students protested at the gates of the college building in Newport in Nash Road.

The protesters said the cuts, which will take effect in the academic year beginning in September, will reduce the opportunities for adults, many of whom are “second chance learners”.

The University and College Union (UCU) said yesterday’s protests are just the start of a campaign aiming to persuade the Welsh Government to change its mind about the level of cuts in funding.

UCU Branch Chair in Newport, John James, said: “These cuts would be a devastating blow to colleges and risk decimating further education.

“We have real concerns that the Welsh Government’s plans could be the final nail in the coffin for the types of courses people want to study as a springboard for improving their skills or just to try and get back into work. We urge the Welsh government to pull back from this.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said the cuts were due to funding being reduced from the UK Government by £1.4 billion since 2010.

“We have been clear about the financial challenges this has presented and the difficult decisions we’ve had to make.

“All further education institutions in Wales are autonomous bodies and it is up to them how they prioritise their provision in line with Welsh Government priorities.

“We have been open with FE colleges in our discussions with them. It is now more important than ever that we focus not just on the resources that are available but how we use them and what we achieve.”