Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)

Students skip class to call for climate change action

- COMMENT

PEOPLE everywhere are suffering serious financial hardship because of Tory austerity policies.

Households owe an average £15,000 in unsecured borrowing.

This wretched situation is made worse by some rogue bailiffs. They have exploited the vulnerable by refusing to accept affordable payments and whacking huge fines and fees on to the debt owed.

Often they have misreprese­nted their rights of entry or acted aggressive­ly and seized vital goods such as cookers and washing machines.

Creditors have a right to seek money they are owed – especially from those who are simply refusing or making no effort to pay.

But all bailiffs should abide by a code that right now is too often ignored and rarely enforced

That’s where government must act – and urgently. The current system is failing thousands and adding to their financial problems.

What we need is a strong, independen­t regulator capable of prosecutin­g bailiffs who break the law. YOUNGSTERS skipped school across the country yesterday to take strike action against climate change.

Hundreds attended a protest outside Parliament in Central London and about 100 blocked Westminste­r Bridge, causing vehicles to turn back south.

Thousands of pupils joined the co-ordinated day of action, which was led by 200 academics.

They want to highlight the “tragic and desperate facts” of the unfolding climate breakdown and the lack of meaningful action by politician­s.

Youth Strike 4 Climate organisers said the strikes took place in 60 towns and cities across Britain including a demo at Belfast City Hall.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “Missing class won’t do a thing to help the environmen­t. All they will do is create extra work for teachers.”

 ??  ?? VOCAL Girls with placards in Whitehall PROTEST Schoolgirl­s gather at Belfast City Hall
VOCAL Girls with placards in Whitehall PROTEST Schoolgirl­s gather at Belfast City Hall

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom