BUDGETS at Northern College are so tight staff have been making contributions to keep it going.

Government funding was slashed in the summer meaning 12 staff had to go and purse strings tightened.

Now three Barnsley MPs and former education secretary David Blunkett have joined the fight to get more cash for the college. The budget had to be slashed after the government changed its education priorities to focus on 16 to 19-year-olds.

The news that staff were contributing wages to save the college was revealed on Friday at a press conference celebrating an 'outstanding' inspection of the college.

Afterwards Mr Blunkett said: “In my experience it is unique for an educational institution to achieve outstanding in all categories that have been inspected and is a tremendous acclaim to the staff and students of Northern College.

“All of the MPs, Mick Clapham, Eric Illsley and Jeff Ennis, will work together to ensure adequate funding and support for the college from the department of education.”

He said the college had faced many challenges in its past and as a backbencher he would fight to secure funding.

College principal Tony Jowitt said 12 members of staff had been lost in an attempt to balance the books and remaining workers were making contributions — including taking unpaid leave.

He said: “We are at a critical point in this country around adult funding and adult learning. What we need to do to fundamentally improve the area is pick up the needs of adults.

"We have had 30 years here and I think we have made a difference in South Yorkshire and hope we have another 30 years to make a difference.”

Mr Clapham said he was going to arrange a meeting with the education secretary to discuss Northern College and funding for adult education.