Staff and students of Croydon College stood united last week in protest at job cuts.

Cuts of more than £4m to the college’s budget were announced at the end of the summer, with more than 80 staff threatened with redundancy.

On September 14, University and College Union (UCU) members held a two-hour strike and rally in protest at the job losses.

Staff claim the college’s management rushed through redundancies during the summer, ignoring the statutory 90-day consultation period.

Margot Hill, UCU branch secretary, said: “The effect of the cuts on Croydon College are devastating. Government spending cuts caused the shortfall in the college budget, and more cuts could follow.”

A spokesman for the college said: “Following a ballot of members, UCU called for industrial action in the form of a two-hour strike during lunchtime on September 14.

“The strike action related to compulsory redundancies at the college arising from reduction in Government funding.

“The college remained open as normal.”