farelmeson: Cuts 'putting young people at risk'

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Cuts 'putting young people at risk' – Guildhall demonstrators

DEMONSTRATORS claim cuts to Hull's education services are worsening a 'black hole' in youth unemployment.

Hundreds gathered outside the Guildhall to protest about budget cuts to the Connexions service.

Organised and led by trade union Unison, the crowds chanted "You save now, our children pay later" as they criticised the cuts.

The City Council service helps 13 to 19 year olds make choices about employment, education and training whilst providing advice on issues such as health, benefits and housing.

It once employed 100 advisors, but the majority of these are expected to be made redundant under proposals to reduce the size of the council's children's services department.

Nicky Osborne, union representative for Connexions, said: "Hull is already a blackspot for youth unemployment and the decision to make these cuts will make it even worse.

"They will leave us with a skeleton staff that could not possibly offer the range of support we do now.

"We blame the Government, but the council needs to accept responsibility too.

"There have been alternative suggestions to save money, but nobody will listen. They just keep closing their eyes and putting young people at risk."

The Mail understands 20 members of staff left the Connexions service last week after taking voluntary redundancy.

Protesting on their lunch break yesterday, those remaining said they expect the majority of staff to be made redundant by the time the service's central office in Paragon Street closes later this year.

Some posts may be saved if schools can be persuaded to buy in careers advisors, only a "skeleton team" is expected to be left in place.

Labour MPs Diana Johnson, Karl Turner and Steve Brady were among those protesting the cuts.

Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "I think the Connexions service is vital for young people in the city.

"I am really concerned with what is going to happen and where young people are going to go for guidance."

A 16-year-old protester who asked not to be named said: "If they cut Connexions, where are people like me going to go for help?

"There are no jobs and no prospects. Now, we are faced with losing the service which was trying to help us."

John Readman, corporate director of Children and Young People's Services at Hull City Council, said:

"We have had to make changes across children and young people's services as a result of the difficult budget decisions that the Council had to make over the last few months, as well as the reduction in grant funding.

"In the future, the functions of the Connexions Service will be delivered through our new structures, based within three localities of the city. This will mean that careers advice and support for those young people who are most vulnerable will continue and form part of the community support teams remit within the localities of the city."