AN Enfield college has withdrawn the threat of compulsory redundancies over staff in a major u-turn.

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, which has a campus in Hertford Road, announced in March that 160 jobs would be cut – including 70 teachers and lecturers – because of a reduction in government funding.

But after the Enfield Independent revealed the plan, and unions threatened strike action over the decision, managers have decided to make a u-turn on the decision.

Jenny Sutton, branch secretary of the University and College Union, said: “I'm glad there's not going to be any compulsory redundancies but we've lost good people now through voluntary redundancy.

“It's really sad that the college had to put people through what they have because fundamentally we need all the staff that we have.

“We'll continue the fight against this attack on education – and we've proven that you can win if you resist.”

Around 80 per cent of union members had voted to strike if the college had pushed through compulsory job cuts – but Ms Sutton confirmed that the industrial action will no longer go ahead.

The college's cuts are due to slash English for Speakers of Other Languages courses – known as ESOL – with the majority of adult courses due to be part-time, with four hours a week of study.

But the college said this was a response to a change in government policy, and that ESOL provision would be replaced by courses that will focus on employability skills and vocational training – which some ESOL staff could transfer to.

In a statement, the college said: “The college is pleased to announce that it does not need to make any compulsory redundancies in setting its budget.

“All requests for voluntary severance have been accepted and remaining staff will have the opportunity to be redeployed.

“As ever the college’s staff are continuing to focus on ensuring that this year's learners are successful and that we build on our strengths for 2011/12.”