Between
10,000-15,000 workers including doctors, bin men and airport security
workers, took part in the biggest march for 30 years to protest
against the Government’s pension reform plans.
In
Birmingham, over 200 schools were closed with teachers and staff
blocking the school gates from 8am with their own picket line. This
involved them protesting at sites with banners and whistles,
encouraging students not to go into lessons.
Charlotte
Rice, 18, a student at Birmingham City University commented, “My
lectures were all cancelled so I just had the day off! I know a lot
of students who got told not to go in to lessons by their teachers as
they were all protesting.”
Across
England, many protests took place, involving over 10,000 teachers and
lecturers who didn’t go in to work. As a result, more than half of
the state schools in England were shut, and only 13% were officially
open.
However,
although those involved were happy with how the initial protest went,
there has been many views that it didn't actually have much effect.
Following the action, it has been reported that there was no
disruption to airlines on the day; something that was considered a
huge problem before the event. Prime Minister, David Cameron also
responded to the event, describing it as a “damp squib,” stating
that it will not have much effect on Governments decision.
Since
last weeks protest, there has been a warning that more are to follow.
James
Howard, 45, said, “The protest went really well, but we’re not
going to stop now until we get what we want.”
Many
people still believe that there is more they can do to change the
pension reform. With banners bearing the slogans, “stop the cuts”
and “fair pensions for all,” people think that the Government's
decision is unfair.
Effect
on Students
The
point of the protest on November 30th
was to fight against the Government’s plans to make people retire
later. This is due to them not being able to afford to support the
increased ageing population.
The
Government can no longer afford to give early pensions to people
working in the public sector e.g. doctors, teachers, therefore, this
is forcing people to pay more towards a pension fund during their
working life. As a result, the Government will be saving millions of
pounds, yet people are not happy about this.
For
students, this means that many will be considering a change of
direction in terms of their jobs. Aspiring teachers or paramedics are
going in to jobs knowing that their jobs are not paying them enough
to cover their pension, therefore their pensions will be smaller and
they will have to work longer.
Derek
Brown, 50, said that two years ago he was thinking about retiring
when he was 65, however due to the pension reform, this has now gone
up to at least 67 years of age. For students, the situation will only
get worse and we will be lucky to retire when we are 70 years old.
Nicola
Robshaw, 39, didn't take part in the protests. Her view was that,
“They are trying to fight the inevitable. The Government cannot
afford it, but at least they are securing our futures eventually.”
Just
under 50% of the UK population work in the public sector. If
students, working towards becoming doctors and other civil workers,
are changing their career paths due to the reform, this mean that in
the near future there will be a lack of these important services we
need in society. Where would we be without teachers, lecturers,
security workers and doctors?
Students
may have to reconsider the path they take for the future or just hold
out to see what next radical step the Government takes.
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