14th December 2010, 12:20 AM
(This post was last modified: 14th December 2010, 12:29 AM by Kel.)
University over the past few years has been used to keep the under-22s off benefits and out of the unemployment statistics. Even before the recession, there were few jobs and fewer apprenticeships for those leaving school at 18, hence Labour wanting to increase university attendance. It was never anything to do with producing a well-educated and qualified workforce. It was a more cost-effective way of distributing the inevitable State funding for this age group, since the UK no longer has a production industry needing a lot of entry-level factory fodder to sustain it.
Now there will be more people unemployed after leaving school, as they'll be put off university by the threat of massive debt. The State will pay benefits in return for them doing all the "Big Society" work that the government will no longer be funding. By cutting university funding and increasing loans, they're creating the necessary "volunteer" workforce to replace axed services at a minimal cost. Anyone who's ever moaned that we need to bring back National Service, effectively has their wish (for those who can't buy or borrow their way out of it, at least). Still, at least they won't be using this cheap labour for archaeology, heritage, museums... oh... er... hang on though. Looks like we won't need many of those pesky professionals any more then.
Look on the bright side though. Higher education funding cuts being made now won't be compensated for by loan repayments, which will happen over decades - and possibly not at all. With any luck, some universities will go to the wall. This will leave even fewer places available thus boosting the cheap workforce further.
Cynical? Moi?
Now there will be more people unemployed after leaving school, as they'll be put off university by the threat of massive debt. The State will pay benefits in return for them doing all the "Big Society" work that the government will no longer be funding. By cutting university funding and increasing loans, they're creating the necessary "volunteer" workforce to replace axed services at a minimal cost. Anyone who's ever moaned that we need to bring back National Service, effectively has their wish (for those who can't buy or borrow their way out of it, at least). Still, at least they won't be using this cheap labour for archaeology, heritage, museums... oh... er... hang on though. Looks like we won't need many of those pesky professionals any more then.
Look on the bright side though. Higher education funding cuts being made now won't be compensated for by loan repayments, which will happen over decades - and possibly not at all. With any luck, some universities will go to the wall. This will leave even fewer places available thus boosting the cheap workforce further.
Cynical? Moi?