HULL STUDENTManifestoHull University Union www.hullstudent.com

Hull College Student Unionwww.hcsu.co.uk

RepresentationMany young people feel disconnected from their local authority and at the last General Election just 44% of people aged 18-24 turned out to cast their vote. For students living away from home this sense disconnection can often be worse, with a recent NUS report suggesting that 29% of students in the private rented sector did not feel a part of their local community.

• WorkwithStudents’UnionsandBitetheBallottoensurethatyoungpeopleinHullareencouraged to participate in elections and registered on the electoral roll.

• EnsureStudents’Unionsandstudentrepresentatives are included in any and all relevant consultation from Hull City Council.

• Supportandfacilitateactiveparticipationinyouth services that encourage young people to engage their local community with campaigns and activities on issues that may affect them, such as the UK Youth Parliament.

EducationAccess to education remains at the top of the political agenda for many students and young people.Withnationalcutstostudentsupportandaccess funding, it is more important than ever to prove the public good of higher and further education, and ensure that education is accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, disability, or social background.

• Encouragemoreworkinschoolstoraiseaspirations and promote participation in higher and further education, such as by widening participation on schemes and extra-curricular activities that develop personal and professional skills.

• Promotetheprovisionofprofessionalcareersadvice in schools and colleges.

Access to decent housing and public services can

often hinder a young person’s ability to train,

study, or work proficiently.

IntroductionHull has a large and diverse student population, with people from all backgrounds studying part-time, full time, in further education, undergraduate or postgraduate education, and taking part in work placements, internships, and apprenticeships. The city welcomes around 8,000 students from out of the area each year, coming from as far afield as Surrey or Saigon.

This manifesto is designed to help Hull City Council develop policies and programmes to make Hull a better place to live, work and study for its many students and young people. It focuses on five key areas: representation; education; public services; employment; and housing.

FollowingMay’selection,Councillors,Students’Unions,educationalinstitutionsand youth organisations can really change the lives of young people and students by pledging to work together to tackle these issues.

Nationally, young people are being squeezed out of the conversation around services and benefits – and this won’t end when they leave the classroom.

Housing• Diversifythecity’shousingoffertofit

the needs of all current and prospective residents – including families, students, young professionals, and migrant workers.

• Reviewthesafety,security,andqualityofprivate rented housing in the city.

• Supportaccreditationschemesforrentedaccommodation in the city.

• Supportandfacilitateschemestoencourageyoung people to look after the community, such as environmental programmes.

Public Services• Improveaccesstoaffordablechildcarefor

parents who study.• Improvethequalityandprovisionofhealth

services affecting young people, and effectively disseminate information on how young people can affect policy making processes regarding health services in the city.

• Encouragetheprovisionanduptakeofsexualhealth outreach services in schools, colleges, and campuses across the city.

• Createandprotectafundforthecreationofyouth services focusing on culture, sport, and academic or vocational development.

• Involveyoungpeopleinpolicymakingprocesses regarding safety, by leading prevention forums with safety stakeholders in schools, colleges, and campuses.

EmploymentAround the country young people are struggling to find work, and the youth unemployment figure in Hull is one of the highest nationally, at above 25%. The city needs to commit to supporting its young people into a lifetime of employment, whether leavers of higher education, further education, or compulsory education.

• Committomaximisingopportunitiesforgraduate employment in Hull and the region.

• Createajobsfundtohelpyoungpeoplesecure work experience and apprenticeships in the city.

• Runaschemepromotingtherecruitmentofyoung workers in businesses and organisations across the city and the region.

• Supportstudent-ledenterpriseacrossschools,colleges, and campuses across the city.