But the University and College Union, which represents lecturers and other staff, said raising tuition fees and scrapping the Education Maintenance Allowance would counteract any attempt to improve social mobility.

BBC: Labour attacks Nick Clegg over social mobility plan

The union said lecturers at both of the other colleges involved in the merger had been offered a pay rise this year.

BBC: Reid Kerr College lecturers strike over pay

The director of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) in Wales, Philip Dixon, believes Wales could learn from other nations when it comes to literacy.

BBC: The literacy challenge facing Wales