Only one in 20 colleges can afford the resources it needs to support teaching and learning, according to new research.

A report by IT service provider Eduserv, published this month, revealed one in three survey respondents felt their current resources did not meet the expectations of students or teaching staff.

Nevertheless, 20 per cent of the FE college staff questioned said their college was looking to further cut spending for learning resources. Two thirds were planning to make an extension of their offer of online resources to deliver the curriculum a priority in the next academic year - despite seeing traditional learning resources as also vital.

The findings come as the FE sector awaits detail on how an additional £900 million in cuts will be made from the budgets of the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (Bis).

Eduserv business development manager Nikki Green, said colleged had “a desire to invest in digitally-led learning, specific curriculum requirements for technical resources, and to make sure the methods of delivery meet the needs of the modern-day student - but they are operating with their hands tied behind their backs.

“They just can’t afford all the resources needed to support teaching and learning, and things could get worse before they get better.”