COLLEGE lecturers condemned an “insulting” proposed 2.5 per cent pay rise today, as strike action hitting more than 20 colleges in England continues.

The University and College Union (UCU) said five more colleges have joined the “unprecedented” wave of strikes affecting further education in England.

The union said the strikes come against a background of lecturers’ skipping meals and cutting back on energy use to save money, with many considering quitting the sector.

Pickets will be in action today and tomorrow, with more strikes planned on October 10, 11, 18, 19 and 20.

The lecturers want a pay increase reflecting the soaring cost of living.

The union said that real-terms pay in further education has fallen by 35 per cent since 2009 and the pay gap between school and college teachers is around £9,000.

RPI inflation is 12.3 per cent.

Employers have had two months since UCU’s ballot result to make meaningful pay offers that reflect rising inflation levels, the union said today.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “This strike action is entirely the fault of college bosses who would rather see disruption hit colleges than give their own staff a fair pay deal. It is a disgrace.

“College staff are the beating heart of education and transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of students every year.

“Yet their pay has fallen behind inflation by 35 per cent over the last 12 years and now many are using foodbanks.

“Where we receive meaningful offers from employers we are willing to negotiate but first college principals need to make serious pay offers that address the cost-of-living crisis.”

The Association of Colleges was invited to comment.