STAFF at a Swindon college have gone on strike as they say they are struggling to cope with rising living costs on their current salaries.

Several members of the UCU union who work at New College have walked out of their classrooms to picket for 10 days across four weeks.

Salaries have fallen behind inflation and, as living costs continue to soar, the union is calling for employers to bridge that estimated £9,000 pay gap and claims this is the biggest-ever set of strikes in the further education sector.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "College staff cannot go on being paid so little.

"Inflation is soaring and college bosses have more money at their disposal than they have had in years, yet they are refusing to protect their staff from the cost-of-living crisis.

"College staff deliver excellent education but over the last 12 years, their pay has fallen behind inflation by 35 per cent and now thousands are skipping meals, restricting energy use, and considering leaving the sector altogether.

"College leaders need to wake up to this crisis, stop dining off the goodwill of their workforce, and make a serious pay offer. Failure to do so will lead to the largest strike action that English further education has ever seen."

The strike comes after 89.9 per cent of UCU members in 26 further education colleges voted in July for strike action on an overall turnout of 57.9 per cent.

The industrial action began on Monday and continued through to Wednesday, with more walkouts planned on October 6, 7, 10, 11, 18, 19, and 20 unless an agreement is reached.

A spokesman for the college said: "New College Swindon is one of a number of colleges across the country where members of the University and College Union have voted to take industrial action over a pay dispute.

"The college is unable to provide information about who is on strike.

"Our absolute priority is to ensure the continuation of education for our learners and we will be working very hard to ensure that there is minimal impact on their studies and wellbeing.

"Students have been advised to attend lectures as usual.

"The college continues to hold discussions with UCU representatives to try and resolve the dispute."

The union claims unqualified college teachers earn £21k while qualified teachers earn as little as £26k.