Staff at Lambeth College have slammed the Government for slashing its adult education funding during the recession.

The college has seen £9m in cuts since 2006, and face a further proposed £3.5m deficit in the coming year.

As a result Lambeth’s biggest education provider has seen student numbers plummet from 21,000 in 2004-5 to 13,200 last year, according to Lambeth College University College Union.

Susan McDowell, branch secretary, said: “We hear the Government is investing in training and education for adults in the recession, but here we have just seen cuts.”

She said she was astounded the UK was cutting investment during the recession, when other countries like France, Germany and the US were increasing their education spending.

Courses facing reductions include short business, IT and counselling courses, that union members say should be essential to help retrain people back into work.

Cuts are disproportionately affecting the most disadvantaged students, especially young adults, those on benefits and those who need to develop language skills, Ms McDowell added.

The union recently asked local councillors to lobby for help reduce funding cuts at the college.

College bosses launched a 90 day consultation in February over plans to axe up to 130 teaching staff.

At the end of April the true extent of where the axe will fall for staff and courses will be known.

College vice principal Christine Griffiths said the college was trying to manage reductions so the effect on the number and type of courses could be minimised.

She said: “The college is extremely concerned these cuts will mean redundancies but that is the position in which we have been placed.”

A Learning and Skills Council spokeswoman said: “We recognise that while overall investment into the further education sector has increased, there is a need for that money to go further.

"We have therefore focused resources on high quality provision that responds to Government priorities.

“We are aware this has impact on colleges and training organisations in different ways and are working with the sector, to understand the implications of funding priorities on their institutions and the courses available to local learners and employers.”