Jobless teens are our future and we need to protect them (From The Argus)

Jobless teens are our future and we need to protect them

4:08pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Your Argus

THERE are families suffering due to the plight of 16 to 18-year-olds for the following reasons: 1: Children no longer get the £30 EMA they used to, which meant they could buy their own clothes and bus fares – particularly practical if the family is on benefits. Benefits tend to mean “scrape by” – there is no surplus.

2: If a child is too ill to go to school or cannot cope with the stress of all the subjects (and the background stress of overworked teachers, family pressures, expectations and competition) the child’s parent(s) must pay £30 for a medical certificate to excuse the child from one of the subjects.

3: If the child leaves education between 16 and 18 and does not find a job, even though persistently trying, parents get no child tax credit and no child benefit. Basically there is no money given by the Government – if a parent or parents are on a lowincome or even, God forbid, benefits, the situation is dire.

No money at all for a child between 16 and 18? What are the children supposed to do?

Die for a few years before they are eligible for jobseekers’ allowance?

I understand some children have sadly committed suicide because of such financial, educational and family pressures.

Let’s take care of our brethren. They are our future.

Let’s redistribute fairly and bring justice, lest these same children become unhappy adults. We must be all-inclusive, nomatterwhat age or ability, and encourage willingness.

Lisa Stewart, Clarendon Road, Hove