NUS National Demo: February 2002

Photos from the Demo

How can you afford not to speak out?

On Wednesday 20th February, students from all over the country marched through central London to prevent student hardship increasing further.

The next National Demonstration, in response to the very present threat of top-up fees will be held in London on December 4 2002. This will be preceded by a Regional Rally, held in Cambridge on 21 November.

STOP PRESS! - Wales Shows That Campaigning On Funding Really Does Work

It is a fact that students now graduate, on average, £12,000 in debt. The abolition of the maintenance grant and the introduction of tuition fees have had a crippling effect on students. Thousands of students will descend on central London on 20 February 2002 to voice their anger at the government's current student finance policies. To symbolise the state of student finances, the National Union of Students is calling on all of us to turn out dressed in red.

It's now four months since the government acknowledged the failings of the current student finance system. Unbelievably, instead of relieving the burden, some of the options currently being considered will actually exacerbate the debt of thousands of students. The preferred option by the Treasury, commercial interest rate loans, would create an intolerable burden on students, with debt doubling every six years after graduation. NUS figures show that over just a ten-year period, the interest accrued at a market rate would be over £20,000. It's important that students turn-up for the Demo in large numbers and show the government their anger.

On Demo Day, students marched through central London along the most high profile route for generations. Following negotiations with both the police and the Greater London Authority NUS secured a path that passes the Houses of Parliament and Downing Street, as well as a rally in Trafalgar Square – previously unheard of during the week.

Speakers for the event included London Mayor Ken Livingstone, NATFHE's Tom Wilson, the AUT's Natalie Fenton, Lib Dem MP David Rendel and Narinder from Big Brother.

The march brought parts of London to a standstill and left politicians and the public in no doubt at the contempt with which students regard the government’s current funding policies.

Last year, Cambridge took one of the largest delegations to the demo - over 500 students. CUSU is working closely with JCRs, MCRs, student associations and University Societies to promote a massive turnout at this year's demo on December 4th for those priced out of higher education.

For more information on the campaign, see the following: