Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/635/10121
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 August 2010
Youth must fight for a future!
This year's college leavers face:
- A shortfall of up to 200,000 university places
- An average of £24,700 student debt, if you get to uni
- An expected 35% cut from the education budget
- Graduate unemployment of 14%
Bang, bang, bang. Listen out for the sounds of doors shutting in the faces of young people this month. 260,000 students have fulfilled their part of the contract. They have studied, stressed and sweated and will now receive their A-level results. But the statistics show that the majority face an uncertain future.
Universities are so worried about being charged for over recruiting students that many have already confirmed they will offer no clearing places at all. Last year, over 47,000 students got their places that way after they fell short of their predicted grades.
In fact, some believe that the actual number of student places will end up being less than last year despite the government promising an increase of 10,000. And for those who do manage to secure a place, three years of study will now result in an average debt of £24,700 - more than enough to put off many poorer young people.
In October the comprehensive spending review is expected to announce a further 35% cut in the education budget which will inevitably mean closures of courses and maybe even whole universities. The argument that 'it all pays off in the end' has been blown apart with 69 applicants for every graduate job.
Government ministers say 'we're all in it together' but are pulling up the ladder of education and jobs behind themselves. With every avenue being closed to us, young people have no choice but to get organised and fight back against these attacks.
We need a mass movement to demand access to education, an end to cuts, free education and a mass programme of job creation to make sure every young person has a decent future.
Protest!
4pm Saturday 21 August
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
1 Victoria Street,
London SW1H 0ET
www.youthfightforjobs.com
020 8558 7947
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In The Socialist 18 August 2010:
International socialist news
Pakistan: Workers' solidarity urgently needed
Floods in Pakistan bring devastation - poor suffer most
Socialist Party youth and students
Youth must fight for a future!
Student demo should be start of the fightback
Uni bosses say cuts will cause closures
Socialist Party editorial
Forecasts of fragile economic growth
Socialist Party news and analysis
Cameron sticks the boot into our council housing
Private-profit company granted 'snoopers' charter'
Private Finance Initiative: A licence to print money
Socialist Party campaigns
Coventry Against the Cuts challenge councillors' 'legal obligation'
Northern Ireland: Belfast Stop the Cuts Alliance established
Bromley care workers fight privatisation and job cuts
Defend Our Community Services launched in Bracknell
Cuts devastate mental health services
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
Socialist Party workplace news
Kirklees Unison strike ballot launched
CWU members accept BT pay deal
Debate how to fight back at Socialism 2010
Tube staff vote for action against cuts
Jobs under threat at Ministry of Justice
Airport workers win improved offer from BAA
Socialist Party events
Socialist Party summer camp - book now!
International socialist news and analysis
Russia's raging wildfires - a crisis of government policies
Socialist Party news and comment
Bradford must organise against the EDL
Birmingham: Community says 'No' to racist spy cameras
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