www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 26 November 2012 Issue 1260 Free
INSIDE : STUDENTS’ UNION ELECTIONS - THE DEFINITIVE PULL-OUT GUIDE
NUS leader pelted with eggs at demo Newcastle joined the ranks of thousands of students in London last week, as they lined the streets to take part in the NUS National Demo March, a protest which ended in anger, unrest and president Liam Burns covered in eggs. It is estimated that between 3,000 and 4,000 people in higher education turned out for the event, which was attended by universities in every corner of the country, from Bath to Edinburgh.
the Houses of Parliament where chaos amongst peaceful protesters ensued. Charles Barry, chairman of the student council, claimed: “There was a large rush of people from far-left groups such as the Socialist Worker’s Party. So far they don’t seem to have broken through the police lines. I was pretty worried that it was all going to go pear-shaped, but things seem to be holding up together.” The demo follows on from the violent protest two years ago, which hit global news when 50,000 students turned up,
The march took the slogan of, ‘Educate, Employ, Empower’, with its aim being to protest against the rise in tuition fees, alongside the rise in youth and graduate unemployment. Early risers from Newcastle University arrived in central London last Wednesday at 11am, joining protesters gathered at Temple Place on the banks of the Thames, where the march departed from shortly afterwards. Newcastle was joined by students from nearby Sunderland University, as well as Newcastle College. Lizzie White, a second year studying English Literature, said: “Now I’m here I’m actually really excited. The crowds have gathered and the rain has stopped. So let’s get on with this and go.” The demo started along Embankment in Central London, heading towards
occupying the Milbank Tower in response to the trebling of tuition fees. “When we discussed whether to have the march in April, it was a big concern that it would be hijacked by a small group of students who had their own political agenda which wasn’t in line with the students.” Outbreak ensued amongst a minority of students outside the Houses of Parliament who were protesting against the Gaza crisis, which was consequently broken up by standby riot police, leaving students to disperse along Westminster Bridge. Newcastle followed the demo along Westminster Bridge, crossing the city onto Southbank and towards Kennington in South London, where a rally was held with speeches given by comedian continued on page 4
By Susie Beever News Editor
SU Council chair Barry said: “I was pretty worried that it was all going to go pearshaped, but things seem to be holding up”
The students are revolting: Uni students and Students’ Union sabbatical officers stood outside Parliament during the NUS Demo Photo: Shahin Nikman
Funding cuts put Northern Stage in danger By Anna Templeton News Editor Several major arts and culture venues in Newcastle have been notified about 100% cuts in funding from the city council. Cultural centres, such as the Theatre Royal, Northern Stage, Live Theatre, Tyneside Cinema, Seven Stories and Dance City may potentially be affected by these cuts. News of the cuts comes from the reve-
lation that Newcastle City Council have to cut £90 million from its budget. Tony Durcan, Newcastle City Council’s director of culture, libraries and lifelong learning, said he had informed the bosses of 10 major cultural organisations about the cuts. Between them, these centers receive £1.5m from the authority. “We are looking at up to 100% reductions in revenue support to parts of the cultural sector,” he said. He explained how there was no legal
requirement to subsidise arts and culture projects, but added: “That isn’t to say we don’t think they’re important.” D a v i d Faulkner, leader of the Opposition Liberal Democrats Group at the City Council said: “Some arts organisations
Newcastle City Council have to cut £90 million from their budget, suspending all arts funding for three years
will be able to cope (somehow) without council funding but inevitably it will impact upon the more discretionary work such as educational and outreach. The smaller organisations will be more dependent on council funding and their survival will be more questionable’ “Everything depends upon how diversified their income is, what scope they have for replacement funding or for economies, such as sharing back office services with other arts organisations. “If the council is challenged on 30% of
its funding over 3 years because of cuts and increased costs then it should not require any organisation to take more than a 10% hit each year in my view. Complete withdrawal of funding is arbitrary.” The independent Tyneside Cinema expressed their concerns about the impending cuts, saying: “This is worrying news for the city, and for the arts and culture around the entire country. “We recognise that the city has a continued on page 7