Young people have been hit hard by the cuts in Birmingham. On top of attacks to education like the scrapping of EMA and £9,000 tuition fees, Birmingham city council has targeted numerous youth services.
The Connexions careers advice service has been slashed, with office closures and staff redundancies. Youth workers have also reported redundancies and closures of youth clubs and other activities and services for young people.
The Birmingham youth service is facing £3 million of cuts, which will lead to the closure of more than 40 youth projects in the city – over two thirds of the current total.
The impact these cuts will have was demonstrated by the riots that took place in Birmingham over the summer. With no prospects for a decent future, youth discontent is bound to boil over.
As the Jarrow March for Jobs passes through the Midlands, Youth Fight for Jobs activists will be holding a public meeting in Birmingham on Wednesday 19 October. Campaigns like this offer hope for young people, by building a united fightback against capitalist cuts.
Tom Creek, Birmingham Socialist Party
Youth Fight for Jobs demands:
- The immediate re-opening of all youth services that have been closed, including reinstating sacked staff
- Huge investment into youth services, including training of many more youth workers. Every young person in the country should have access to support, advice and leisure facilities
- A building programme which includes parks, sports centres and youth clubs in every area and is carried out in consultation with young people and youth workers, along with the trade unions and community groups
