FOR those people who doubt the severity of the cuts imposed by the Government, look at the services geared towards helping young people into college, training and employment.

Connexions has disappeared and with it the services to young people, which by virtue of its name, links those seeking opportunities to work and study.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) has been slashed. Any encouragement or incentive that was introduced by the last Labour government has been removed by the Coalition.

More people have lost their jobs there is a greater demand on affordable housing and the numbers on benefits is increasing. There are those who will say that many people won’t work and that the jobs are there for the taking, but the availability of real jobs is a real concern.

We need proper job creation, investment in work and a link or connection between young people, in school, going to college and university and entering work.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe.