Len McCluskey condemns government's neglect of young people
25 October 2011
At a rally in support of youth services being held in
Westminster today (25 October), Unite general secretary Len
McCluskey condemned the government's failure to support young
people from across the country.
He poured scorn on the government's attempt to distract from the
youth backlash against the coalition by wasting taxpayers' money on
a competitor event in London today and called on the children’s
minister, Tim Loughton, to go.
Speaking at the rally in Westminster Len McCluskey said: “This is
the first time that we have a government that is seeking to abandon
its duty to our young.
“That is an astonishing failure of those whose job it is to keep
this nation in safekeeping, and to support you so you can take over
when your time comes.
“It shows a dreadful vacuum at the centre of the coalition
government. It has a youth-shaped hole right at its
heart.
“Since May last year youth services have come under sustained
assault.
“In parts of the country vibrant services in Manchester, Norfolk,
Suffolk, Warwickshire and even in the minister’s own patch of West
Sussex - have disappeared altogether. Many more are on their
knees.
“It is no good Tim Loughton, the minister with his hands around the
neck of your services, pointing at councils. Young people are not
fooled. We know that you are the terror of youth
services.
“Minister, your job is to support young people. By any measure you
have failed in that job. Your time is up. You should
resign."
Almost 1,000 young people will direct their fire at the minister
for youth, Tim Loughton MP, renamed "the Tim Reaper" for the day to
symbolise his destruction of youth services. Hundreds of young
people will also gather on College Green at 3pm, following the mass
lobbying of MPs, to host a silent disco in protest against the
youth service cuts.
A report released today from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS)
said public spending on education in the UK would fall by more than
13 per cent in real terms by 2014-15. Schools and universities are
facing the largest cuts to public education spending since the
1950s, which could lead to a drop in achievement, according to the
new figures.
ENDS
Contact: Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861
