The Socialist 20 May 2009 We need workers' MPs on a worker's wage We need workers' MPs on a worker's wage Swindling MPs are detached from reality Thousands march for jobs in Birmingham Visteon workers' victory march Sri Lanka: The guns fall silent but the tragedy continues Tiananmen 1989: Seven weeks that shook the world Youth Fight for Jobs fortnight of action Enthusiastic reception for Youth Fight for jobs Lewisham Bridge rooftop protest Welsh-speaking worker bullied by boss Union organisation necessary to defend working conditions |
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Home | The Socialist 20 May 2009 | Join the Socialist Party Jobs not doleYouth Fight for Jobs fortnight of action
"We are determined to prevent a new generation becoming a lost generation". That's what chancellor Alistair Darling said in April. Sarah Sachs-EldridgeBut so far these words have not been followed up with serious measures. In fact, the whole of Westminster has been so busy scrambling for receipts and reading the Telegraph to see if they've been caught out over expenses, they seem to have forgotten about the looming youth unemployment crisis. But young people cannot so easily ignore this problem. In March alone the jobless total increased by 115,000. And according to the Office for National Statistics young people have experienced the largest percentage point increase in unemployment rate compared with other age groups. In the year to March 2009, the unemployment rate for 18 to 24 year olds increased by almost 4% to 16.1%. The number of unemployed young people is likely to increase further when the current academic year ends and 600,000 young people leave school, college and university. Bear in mind that job vacancy levels fell by almost a third to 466,000 between the first quarter of 2008 and the same period in 2009. But Darling and his party have no real, long-lasting solutions. Large-scale government action should be taken to alleviate unemployment and the threat of job losses. There is an urgent need for more social workers, nurses and teachers. Just a fraction of the money used to bail out the banks could take hundreds of thousands off the dole queues and train them to carry out vital public services.
Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) is calling a fortnight of action to coincide with the end of term to build the campaign for a decent future for young people. YFJ activists will be organising protests, marches, gigs, meetings, stunts and other action to build the movement against the cost of the economic crisis being put on the backs of youth. Make sure young people in your area do not face this crisis alone, but know that there is an organisation for them to join to fight for their future. Call 020 8988 8777 or email youthfightforjobs@gmail.com for leaflets and help with organising local action. In this issue
Socialist Party editorial
Socialist Party workplace news
No2EU International socialist news and analysis
Socialist Party feature
Youth fight for jobs
Education
Socialist Party news and analysis
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