Britain -the unjust place

[Pufflette]

It seems that we have become again a place of aristocracy and lower classes. Unless you have financial support from well-off parents then it seems impossible for young people to get ahead. I mean university has become so expensive that students from poorer students just must saddle themselves with huge amounts of debt and then will not get a job at the end of it -unless they do medicine! And I heard former deputy PM say on the programme the North/South divide that the government had cancelled apprenticeships with one student lamenting that he couldn't do a plumber course because it would cost £11,000.

It's not fair. The banks owe us money. The UK needs changed.

[redcrx]

why do the banks owe money? and who are "us" that they owe it to?

Students have always had to pay their way through uni, 20 years ago all my friends had to take out loans and work jobs to afford it, why is it different now?

if they dont feel that its worth it as they "will not get a job at the end of it -unless they do medicine" why go to University at all?

[jake-the-peg]

Certain banks (RBS, Halifax, LLoyds) owe us money because we have guaranteed their bad investments.

Us is the taxpayers and public service users of this country who are footing that bill

What is different now is that tuition fees are being partly paid by the students and may soon be fully paid by the students.

Certain disciplines (not just everything but medecine) are finding it hard to find jobs, this has always been the case but is particularly bad in difficult financial times. However we will, as a country be culturally impoverished if students cease to study subjects that are not purely vocational.

Any other questions?

Like perhaps why should the tax payer pay for educating students?

Well you might ask why the tax payer should pay to educate any child.

The answer is the same, this country's economy is largely service based and will continue to be so - we will not compete with the far east in cheap manufacture - as such the ability of British companies to thrive is based on a highly educated and creative work force. Both indiginous and the ability to recruit highly skilled people from abroad.

As such state funded higher education is an investment in this countries future.

[cassa333]

A good plumber can earn as much if not more than a doctor so £11,000 for fees works out at peanuts.

[redcrx]

thanks for the answers jake. I was asking them of pufflette but appreciate your reply.

I have nothing against the government assisting in paying for higher education, but do feel that perhaps the students can contribute. Many courses do allow time to work and earn a part time wage. Student loans are (or certainly were) not payable until the receiver is earning a certain figure in the workplace too.
To a certain degree i think that a student should pay something towards this, give them an added incentive to work hard and acheive. They are investing in their own future too. Just as I would need to pay for further courses to get better skills within my workplace.

Id certainly rather see government funding going towards paying for a possible future for this country rather than being handed out to those who are never prepared to work or contribute.

[Pufflette]

"A good plumber can earn as much if not more than a doctor so £11,000 for fees works out at peanuts."

Maybe they will earn a lot but how do they get their hands on £11,000 in the first place?!!! One can take a rational view as an adult but try being 21 years old, being £20,000 pounds in debt and with employers asking for experience, or a Master's or so many other things you don't have. And yes, you don't have to pay the debt straight away but remember there are interest charges on it so the longer you delay the more expensive it gets.