Tory policies — not for the young

Once again the coalition divides Britain according to wealth, as this week the chancellor declared that all working-age benefits would be frozen for two years from 2015, meanwhile scrapping the 55 per cent ‘death tax’, making all inherited pension funds  free of tax.

The Conservatives are relentless and unapologetic in their dismissal of any group who is not necessarily voting for them.

But the reality is that 61 per cent of young people did not vote in the 2010 general election, while 68 per cent of over 65s did. So the Tories have no qualms with trebling tuition fees while cutting bingo taxes, because to them if you aren’t voting for Cameron then you don’t matter.

Here are six ways the Tories are making young people hate them:

1. Working for the dole

At the Conservative Party Conference this week chancellor George Obsorne announced plans to withdraw job seekers’ allowance (JSA) for 18 to 21-year olds if they haven’t found employment or training in the first six months. Their only hope to avoid complete abandonment by the state would be to take part in “community projects” – effectively working for the dole.

2. From a low-income family? No EMA for you

When the Tories announced they would be cutting the education maintenance allowance (EMA) – up to £30 a week to help teenagers from poorer families stay in education – young people were furious. Noisy protests were held and, with the help of the Labour party, arguments were made to keep it. But the cut went ahead and the crusade against the young was only just beginning.

3. Under 21s helpless with housing

The Tories’ proposed welfare “reforms” also include the barring of 18 to 21-year olds from housing benefit. CentrePoint, the charity for young people facing homelessness says that this “will not work” and has started a petition against it. It says, “We know that young people rely on housing benefit to keep a roof over their heads… We fear the Prime Minister’s plans would not only lead to more homelessness, but won’t help young people into sustainable employment.”

4. All work and no pay

Unpaid internships are rife under the Tories, where young ambitious people are asked to work for free, often for months, in the hope that they might  eventually be given a paid job – if they’re lucky. Apprenticeships are only slightly better, offering young workers ÂŁ2.68 an hour for their graft. That’s almost two-thirds less than the national minimum, which already falls short of the living wage. What kind of message is this sending to young people about their value in society?

5. Thousands of youth services axed

A poll by Unite found that in one year under the Conservatives, youth services in England in one in eight councils were facing cuts between 21  and 30 per cent. Budget constraints from central office have left local councils on their knees and youth services have been severely cut as a result.

6. University will drown you in debt

Probably one of the most hurtful moves by this coalition was the trebling of university fees to £9,000 a year. The ambition to further your education and study for a BA will cost in excess of £27,000 – and that’s before maintenance loans have come in. Students took to the streets in protest and disgust over the betrayal of deputy PM Nick Clegg – who promised to scrap tuition fees – in a potent demonstration of their frustration towards a leadership that simply isn’t working for them.