British Students Protest Over Less Aid

A group of student protesters broke into the Conservative Party's headquarters early Wednesday and smashed glass, climbed onto the roof, and started a bonfire in front of the building in protest of the government's decision to slash nearly 81 billion pounds marked for social aid. This means a rise in the cost of university. The violence broke out during a relatively peaceful march protesting the increase that will allow schools to triple the cost of university in Britain. Riot police and demonstrators scuffled to control the situation, and at least eight people, including officers, were hurt. The four year plan is being enacted by the government to tackle a record budget deficit. This is the first protest in Britain that is comparable to those that have plagued France and Greece over changes to the social sector. Parliament is examining, and will vote on, proposals that will lift the maximum tuition to 9,000 pounds a year. More than just university students, the cuts will also likely affect half a million public sector workers to the loss of their jobs. The National Union of Students, also the organizers of the event, condemned the troublemakers and said that the intention was a peaceful march.

By Margaret Nunne