Prospect Union boss Angela Moffatt has hit out at government spending priorities as jobs are lost at the college.

Miss Moffatt says the job cuts at University College Isle of Man are a ‘sign of the times’.

She said:‘You do wonder where the priorities are when health and education are forced into cuts when we have millions to spend elsewhere.’

Miss Moffatt criticised the purchase of the Steam Packet as an example.

She revealed those who remain will not have hours cut and while jobs in catering education have been saved, there will be losses.

She added: ‘It’s good some jobs have been saved but overall we still see less education staff for students.’

A Department of Education spokesman said: ‘The three catering areas located at UCM will merge from the beginning of September 2018.

‘Four staff have had voluntary redundancy requests accepted and two staff are seeking redeployment opportunities to other relevant department or public services posts.’