‘Kick in teeth’ for young people

MP Michael Meacher has accused government of kicking young people in the teeth.

They are more affected by cuts in universal credit and housing benefit, have seen rising youth unemployment and if they choose to go to university are saddled with massive debts says the Oldham West and Royton MP.

“Chancellor George Osborne really has got it in for young people — unless of course they are poised to inherit their grandparents’ £1 million home or will benefit from a higher inheritance tax threshold.

“What have young people done to deserve these successive kicks in the teeth? In today’s volatile political climate this Tory campaign against the young will surely boomerang against its perpetrators.”

Latest figures show 13.7 per cent of 16 to 24-year olds are out of work, more than double the national 5.5 per cent unemployment.

Mr Meacher said: “Even if they can find a job, George Osborne’s over-hyped ‘national living wage’ won’t apply to those below 25. The rate for 18-20 year olds will be a miserly £5.30 an hour, while for 16-17 year olds it will be slave rates of £3.87 an hour and even £3.30 an hour for apprentices.”

Mr Meacher added: “More than half a million students in England received the £3,387 maintenance grant last year, costing £1.6bn but now the grant is being turned into a loan it will push student debt to £51,000 in three years.”