Budget offers no relief for youth


Ben Robinson, Youth Fight for Jobs Chair, said: “This government have abolished the Future Jobs Fund with no replacement” in a Youth Fight for Jobs press release today.

“Benefit cuts announced today for £11 billion, expected to include Job Seekers Allowance, and £2 billion from Housing Benefit, both already lower if you are a young person.

“With the intention to sell of the Student Loans Company announced today, which is the first step towards commercial interest rates being charged, and cuts already announced to further and higher education funding, this is a government that is taking from youth without returning any offer of a future.

“All the while big business is offered the lowest corporation tax rates ever.”

“The recession has seen the future promised to young people shattered. This government is not even offering to help pick up the pieces. Osbourne was said to be modelling the budget on Howe’s in 1981.

“This contributed to years of rising unemployment and riots in Toxteth and Brixton. Youth Fight for Jobs will work with the 3 million workers in our six supporting unions, unemployed young people, students and others to offer a positive way out of this crisis, and to fight for decent jobs and access to education and training for all.”