Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/635/10125
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 August 2010
News in brief
Uni bosses say cuts will cause closures
A recent report has shown that three quarters of university bosses think the government's higher education cuts will result in some universities closing. Even the managers carrying through the cuts admit the devastating effect they will have!
The vice chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University has also commented that many universities, fearing charges for 'over' recruiting students, will have thousands of empty places in September.
Higher education is being squeezed from every angle and, without a mass campaign to force the government and the bosses to back down, closures, such as those being disguised as 'mergers' in Wales, will become a regular feature.
Graduate tax would cost low-paid more
Those arguing for tuition fees to be replaced with a graduate tax have been dealt a blow by a UCU report showing that the lowest earners would have to pay even more for their degrees under the proposed system. Teachers, for example, would pay £17,271 more than they do now, whilst nurses would pay an extra £7,824.
Without full grants, future students would still struggle to cover their living costs while they study. And then, to add insult to injury, they would be severely worse off for years of their working lives.
The report shows that there is no 'fair' way to charge people for education. The only answer is to fight for a completely free, publically-owned and democratically-run education system at all levels.
Long-term youth joblessness still rising
The latest unemployment figures show that long-term unemployment increased by 33,000 to a 13-year high of 796,000. And a TUC report released at the same time shows that young people are being hit the hardest. Long-term youth unemployment has gone up by 20% in the last year.
The biggest increase was in Medway, in Kent, where the problem has increased by 158%. The report points out that this situation will only worsen as the public sector cuts come into full force. It correctly attacks the government for cutting schemes supposedly designed to get young people into work without putting any alternative in place.
With 69 applicants for every graduate vacancy and the youth unemployment figure (17%) more than double the national average, a mass campaign for decent jobs is more urgent than ever.
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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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