Staff and students at Croydon College are rallying today to protest against proposed cuts.

The demonstration, which has been organised by members of the University and College Union (UCU), will begin at 1pm outside the college’s main entrance.

The union has issued a warning that planned cuts would have a devastating impact on the local community.

UCU said that at a time of high unemployment, Croydon desperately needed investment in education to give people on benefits the best chance of learning the new skills they need to go back to full-time employment.

Today’s rally has been timed to coincide with a national day of protests by UCU members against job losses and funding cuts in further and higher education.

Staff are on strike at 11 colleges and two universities in London.

Croydon College  UCU rep, Mark El-Kadhi, said: “Croydon College contributes a huge amount to the local community providing courses for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Cuts to provision will have a devastating impact on the local area.

"At a time of such high unemployment, what Croydon desperately needs is more educational opportunities.”

June Cook from UCU's regional official,,said: “We understand the financial pressure that colleges like Croydon are under at the moment but making wholesale cuts is not the answer and will come back to haunt the college in the long-term.”