Over 1,000 unemployed young people marched through London on Saturday to demand jobs, condemning the government for "failing our futures."
Students, union activists and campaigners travelled from as far afield as France and northern Scotland to demonstrate amid estimates that the number of young people unemployed across Britain has exceeded one million.
Luke Ivory, who has been unemployed in Dundee for the past six months, summed up the frustrations of his fellow protesters, saying: "Where I'm from graduates feel lucky to flip burgers."
Joining the demonstration, Mr Ivory told how he had been turned down for bar and factory work after hundreds applied.
He said: "The government has done absolutely nothing to help so this generation must take things in our own hands.
"Dundee has become a black hole for jobs like many other towns and cities across the country. I travelled more than 12 hours to get here to support young people going through the same thing.
"It's so demoralising to see the government pumping billions into the banks yet not finding enough money to create much-needed jobs in schools and hospitals."
Youth Fight for Jobs national organiser Sean Figg, who helped organise the event, added: "Young people are more of an investment than the banks, yet the government has not seen things that way.
"There's all sorts of socially useful work that could be created and that's why we are here today. We want to get that message across.
"It was confirmed last week that a million young people are not in employment or education. Is it going to take an entire generation before ministers take notice?"
Earlier this month, figures showed youth unemployment had reached a record high of almost 20 per cent.
Hayes and Harlington Labour MP John McDonnell said: "This march highlights the plight of the million young people who are now unemployed and the many more who are facing joblessness as a result of this recession.
"Young people are being forced to pay for the economic crisis whilst bankers award themselves another £5 billion in bonuses this month. I support the march and support this campaign to demand action against youth unemployment."
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/news/content/view/full/83860 - 29.11.09
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