Young people will tell MPs to call time on youth service cuts
21 October 2011
Choose Youth lobby of parliament and
rally
WHEN: Tuesday, 25 October, 11.30am – 4pm
WHERE: Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, SW1
9NH
At least 1,000 young people will take their fight to save the
youth service from the government’s wrecking ball of cuts to
parliament on Tuesday 25 October, in an unprecedented day of action
organised by Choose Youth.
Unite, Unison and its Choose Youth partners, warn that services
for young people will be the first publically-funded service to be
wiped out altogether in the face of disproportionately large
funding cuts.
In what promises to be the biggest event of its kind, more than
1,000 people will take part in a diverse range of activities from
banner making to campaign and lobbying workshops, culminating in a
mass silent disco outside the Houses of Parliament.
The day is geared around getting young people and all those with
a stake in young people’s services to meet with their MPs.
Media are invited to attend the day, which will see a diverse
programme of speakers. There is also the opportunity to speak to
young people travelling from across the UK, including Devon, Wales,
Birmingham and further afield.
Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary, who will be speaking on
the day, said: “What this government is doing to our young people
is nothing short of scandalous. One million young people without
work, tuition fees trebled, the Education Maintenance Allowance
axed - a litany of misery made worse by the demolition of the
services which provide the support they need to overcome these
challenges.
“This is not a caring and sharing government, this is a
government that sees young people as a soft target. Young people
need more- not less – support to feel they have a future stake in
our society.”
Keith Sonnet, Unison deputy general secretary, who will be
speaking at the event, said: “Young people are being forced to bear
the brunt of the government’s cuts. Youth services are vital at a
time of record youth unemployment and the rising cost of
education.
“Those in the most disadvantaged communities, who need the most
support, are being hit the hardest. The future success of the
country depends on young people. We need urgent action to prevent a
lost generation struggling to afford qualifications, or to find
work.”
Choose Youth is an alliance of over 30 national youth sector
organisations and trade unions, including Unite.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Media are invited to attend but must book beforehand, please
contact Chantal Chegrinec, Unite press office, on 07774 146 777 or
020 3371 2063
