SCORES of under-threat adult courses that are stepping stones back into education have been spared the axe.

Funding cuts at East Lancashire's five colleges are not as bad as first feared, although employers are unhappy they now face having to pay more costs for courses.

Courses for over-19s in subjects such as GCSE maths look to have won a stay of execution.

But employers face having to pay the full cost of health and safety training and other courses under proposals by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the body responsible for post-16 education.

As we revealed in February, principals at Burnley, Nelson & Colne, Accrington and Rossendale, Blackburn, and St Mary's, Blackburn colleges feared thousands of adult learning courses would be cut in September due to the government's emphasis on learning for 16 to 18-year-olds.

But the expected mass cull at the five colleges is now unlikely as the LSC's funding indications are much better than anticipated.

Blackburn College bosses feared it would offer 1,000 fewer places due to an estimated £1million cut.

But Ian Clinton confirmed only 300 places would go with his funding cut by £437,000.

He also said there would be no redundancies.

The courses affected are 10-week courses such as first aid, health and safety and hygiene which had been subsidised and offered at half price around £50 to employers.

However the college will continue the courses if employers are willing to pay the full price.

Mr Clinton said: "I think it's a reasonable settlement and we have done better than the norm.

"Most of the effect will be felt outside of East Lancashire.

"If employers want us to continue the courses and pay the full economic rate than we will we expect they will want to as employers have a legal obligation to put their staff through these courses."

But business leaders are furious companies face more costs.

Valerie Miles, policy manager at East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce which represents 1,000 workers across the region - said: "Small companies already face difficulties sending staff away on day release and do be expected to do it without the subsidy will make it more difficult."

Nelson and Colne College had been advised its funding was likely to be cut by £400,000 - but the LSC has indicated that it will now be less than half of that.

The improved allocation means the equivalent of just 70 full-time places lost, again including health and safety and first aid courses.

The colleges are also likely to get extra funding for workplace training courses ranging from engineering to retail and the LSC is expected to rubber-stamp its final proposals later this summer.