• Youth demand jobs
  • £15-an-hour minimum wage for all – end lower youth rates
  • Scrap uni fees – for free fully funded education

Rhys Castley, Swansea Socialist Party

Life for young people has become increasingly difficult. Jobs and apprenticeships are more and more scarce. University leaves us with at least £40,000 debt. For those that can find jobs, the wage fails to meet their basic needs.

2.5 million young people have had to cut back on food to afford essentials in the last three months. Nearly one million young people not in education, employment, or training.

Over the last few months of our Socialist Party campaigning, we have heard the frustration young people have from trying to live and work in these conditions. We heard of people applying for hundreds of jobs, and not getting so much as a call back.

Students leaving university, and only finding fast-food work – if any at all – having to move back in with family. Even nursing students completely unable to find work, despite the staffing crisis in our NHS.

So, with the support of young workers and students from across Swansea, West Wales, and Neath Port Talbot, we set up in Swansea city centre on 20 August for our latest day of action. The message from young people was clear.

We spoke about an end to youth unemployment and lower youth pay rates, and for a £15-an-hour minimum wage at least for all.

We demanded free fully funded education, proper apprenticeships and training schemes, and highlighted the need for socialism to truly and permanently end these issues.

Once we set up our campaign stall, we had people of all ages, from grandparents fearing for their grandchildren’s future, to students fearing for their own, coming up one after the other to express support for our campaign and their frustrations. Some even stopped to join our protest.

Join the international youth walkout on 20 November

With over 1,000 dead and nearly 4,000 missing after deadly floods in Nepal, the reasons are stacking up for young people to protest. Young people are set to walk out and protest across Europe on 20 November, fighting for our future, not their wars and climate catastrophe. Be a part of it and join Socialist Students now! 

  • socialiststudents.org.uk/join