A strike by sixth form teachers can go ahead tomorrow after the government lost a last-gasp legal challenge at the High Court.
Industrial action planned by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) will continue after Mr Justice Kerr refused to grant the Secretary of State for Education an urgent declaration that it was unlawful.
In a ballot last month, 86 per cent of members at the 92 colleges in England voted in favour of strike action on a 44 per cent turnout.
Clive Sheldon QC, for the Secretary of State, said that the action was unlawful as it was about funding cuts rather than terms and conditions of employment.
But after a day of argument, the judge said that the balance came down against granting the declaration.
NUT deputy general secretary Kevin Courtney said: "The High Court's decision is a victory for democracy and common sense.
"It is abundantly clear that Government cuts to sixth form college funding are having a direct impact on our members' terms and conditions and as such we are entitled to take strike action.
"Sixth form colleges provide a vital service to over 150,000 young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.
"Yet Government funding cuts mean many of those services will soon be financially unviable. The cuts will result in a further loss of courses, job losses and increased class sizes."
Read More
MORE ABOUT