PROTEST 2010

Finally, images from the 2010 Student Demo....a focus on signage as there were some ingenius and well thought out slogans - many humorous but with an inherent sincerity.

Of course, the Browne Proposal went through by a majority of 21. Times are changing. I have already personally felt the effects of cutbacks when one of my university choices (Ravensbourne Fashion Promotion, to be exact) was removed from my UCAS application due to the scrapping of the course because of limited funding. With the obvious surge in university applicants this year caused by the increased fees of 2012, are the government being proactive by reducing funding and consequently causing the abolition of certain courses (and I bet no Science/Politics/Business courses have disappeared). I think not. We must continue to fight.

Keep updated on movements in your area go to www.ukuncut.org.uk or follow UK Uncut on Twitter by finding @UKuncut.

STUDENT PROTEST 24/11/10

There is another student protest regarding university fees and EMA dissolution tomorrow, in Liverpool, at the Guild of Students outside Mountford Hall at midday. Provided I feel somewhat healthier, I will be there. This time the protest is aiming to condemn the Liberal Democrats - which should have been done from the off. Nick Clegg has severely disappointed the country in his lack of backbone and complete U-turn on his original educational manifestos regarding university fees. Without his support, the proposal would not have gone through.

Disgusting.

I will be tweeting throughout. Do pay attention.

STUDENT PROTEST 10/11/10

Today at 11.30am, hordes of students will be protesting against the forthcoming increases in university fees. The Guardian website is broadcasting live feeds of the protest and students are tweeting as the day goes on. Although the act hasn't been passed yet, I hope this protest brings awareness to the issue and contributes to the eventual decision by the government.

The government increased the number of students at university during the Labour years, which has now led to increased competition and an increase in educational spending. For some unfortunate reason the current government, ahem, the Conservatives, have decided this is a viable area to make cuts and increase fees to contribute towards Britain's extreme debt. If this is passed, it will create embarrassment for the Liberal Democrats (who have always been against fee increases) and, I believe, will result in a future of professional uncertainty.

As Jeevan Vasagar, the Guardian's education editor says 'the cuts are expected to hit the arts and humanities hardest' and it is truly an issue for anyone who hopes to enter either industry in the near future.

Read the full interview and keep up to speed with the progress of the protest at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2010/nov/10/demo-2010-student-protests-live

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the protest myself, but I will be following the events closely.

BYE BYE CREATIVITY

I found out recently that the whole fashion department in Liverpool JMU has been, well, effectively deleted. And, as I am lead to believe, has the Geography and Politics departments. A worrying time for us all in the creative industries. It's a well-known secret that the Conservative government are not huge advocates of the arts - the dissolving of the British Arts Council hailed the slippery slope in my opinion - and these new revelations are indicating more is yet to come. Rumours that the Manchester and Salford fashion departments are at risk are also circulating. Only time will tell.