THE Wellington-based adult education organisation Somerset Skills & Learning (SS&L) is set to close some its centres and make dozens of staff redundant.

SS&L was hit with a massive 97 per cent cut in funding in September, which saw its grant aid fall from about £3million to £111,000, putting the future of adult education in Somerset in doubt.

The Government swiftly U-turned following lobbying from local MPs with SS&L getting back £2million in lost funding.

But SS&L, which currently teaches about 10,000 students and employs about 200 staff, says that is not enough and is planning big changes in order to keep going.

Chief executive Susan Simon-Norris said: “A radical restructure has been proposed and this would sadly mean losing almost a third of our staff and closing six centres to reduce our overheads.

“We have no choice – the funding cuts have left us in a very difficult position.”

Staff have been in redundancy consultations and centres are likely to close in the coming months.