Link to this page: https://secure.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1144/32914
From The Socialist newspaper, 11 August 2021
West Midlands: austerity and capitalism offers no future for young people
James Leach, Birmingham South West Socialist Party
After a decade of Tory austerity and a global pandemic threatening millions of jobs, young people are more vulnerable than ever.
In Birmingham young people have been hit hard by Covid-austerity and the anarchy of the capitalist economy.
In June 2020, unemployment had risen 14.5% - a spike higher than any other English city.
Whether we pursue apprenticeships, and face the insult of £4.30 an hour wage, or choose university, where we can rack up masses of debt, before entering a job market dominated by the instability of zero-hour contracts - it feels as if there is no way forward.
Rich landlords are profiting off charging extortionate rents for small, dilapidated living spaces. There is a capitalist ceiling hanging low over our futures, and it will take a determined socialist programme to smash it.
The Youth Fight for Jobs campaign has the programme to secure youth a brighter future. In towns and cities, we are organising youth marches for 9 October.
The Socialist Party, Young Socialists, Socialist Students and Youth Fight for Jobs, will be organising a march in Birmingham on 9 October, campaigning to stop the billionaire class robbing the future from working class youth.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- We must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 11 August 2021:
NHS
Defend the NHS. Fight the Tory pay insult. Prepare strike action!
NHS: Kick out the privatisers, Fight for funding, Build for strike action
News
Tory government nationalises Sheffield steel plant
Tory cuts worsened crime and Johnson 'blitz' won't help
Thanks to the miners - an example of workers' struggle and solidarity
Comment
Olympic 'success' masks cuts and inequality in sport
Campaigns news
Capitalism = climate catastrophe
Rising against a rigged and rotten system - Socialism 2021
London Pride cancelled - pandemic shows protest Pride is necessary
London: Hundreds protest for trans rights
Save Newham's theatres from Labour council cuts!
Socialist Party young members summer school
A day in the life of a young hospitality worker
West Midlands: austerity and capitalism offers no future for young people
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Don't privatise Dudley libraries
Socialist Party: Solely funded by the working class
Review - The Struggle for World Socialism
Housing
Waltham Forest: Fighting for a home for Nadia and homes for all
History
August 1991 - The aborted military coup in the 'Soviet Union'
Workplace news
Ballot majority essential to continue DVLA strike action
Night tube strike suspended to allow talks - scrap compulsory duties!
RMT strike solid on East Midlands rail
You need a union when the time comes to fight
Unions protest at exploitative Leicester company Food Attraction
Over 3,000 votes for fighting socialist programme in CWU
International news
Beirut's devastating port explosion one year on
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