Young people in Britain today experience the bleak reality of what capitalism has to offer us – almost one in six young people not in education, employment or training. Amidst the crisis of youth unemployment, those who do find a job experience low pay and poor conditions.

This Labour government offers no solution to this crisis. Instead, it has backtracked on its promise to give 18-20 year olds the full minimum wage, arguing that employers will not hire young people if they are paid the same as workers 21 and over.

With no evidence that a rise in pay leads to higher unemployment, it’s no surprise that the government is prioritising the profits of the capitalist bosses over our needs.

Labour has also announced a plan to introduce new ‘work placements’ for young people. We will receive only benefit payments, not pay, for work under these schemes.

Continuing to be underpaid – or in some cases not paid at all – will not resolve the issues of employment, housing, and education faced by young people. 

Nor will these issues simply be resolved by changing the Labour Party leader, despite attempts to present Andy Burnham as a left-wing alternative to Keir Starmer. We must organise, campaign, and demand that Andy Burnham implements the policies that young people need.

Our voice

What we need is a real political voice, a party that does not attack our living standards, but instead fights back with young and working-class people. This includes taking action to demand an increase in the minimum wage to £15 an hour, regardless of age, as a step towards a real living wage.

Trade unions can play a crucial role putting forward this demand, and mobilising young workers to take action for better jobs, training, and opportunities for all of us.

Over the summer and into the academic year, Socialist Students will be campaigning in schools, colleges, and universities. Young people look with frustration at the future of low pay, debt, and unaffordable housing that awaits us.

A few weeks ago, Socialist Students also met with other youth organisations from eight different countries in Europe to discuss how to build the anti-war movement (see page 4). That meeting agreed to organise an international youth strike on 20 November across Europe – building the youth fightback internationally.

Through a widespread youth movement, we can mobilise young people against war, division, and austerity. Whether you’re a young worker or student, by getting organised we can fight for better jobs and opportunities, for public investment in our education and services, and for the socialist change we need.