'Walk in Our Shoes' Protest

Members of 30 youth clubs from across Birmingham gathered in the city centre today to protest at cuts to their budgets.

They placed shoes in Chamberlain Square to 'symbolise teenagers who will be left out on the streets' if their youth clubs close down.

The council blames central government for the reductions; campaigners say they won't be saving much.

Russell Green, a youth worker in Birmingham, thinks the council should be investing in young people.

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Young people from Birmingham will unite today, is a protest against cuts to clubs and youth projects in the city.

Representatives from 30 clubs from across Birmingham will meet at Chamberlain Square in the city centre, where the 'Walk in Our Shoes’ rally will begin.

Part of the Birmingham Youth Service funding crisis has being caused by the withdrawal of £1m funding by the Birmingham Schools Forum.

Two Years ago I was proud to fight with Birmingham Youth Workers and Young People to stop closures by a Conservative led Council of youth facilities all over the city. Two years later we have the biggest cut in Local Government history of £310m by a Conservative led Government.

To add insult to injury Birmingham is being cheated out of its fair share by a Government that looks after the Tory Southern Shires. If Birmingham was treated fairly the city would have £79m more to spend and not one youth club would face closure.

Birmingham City Council is committed to funding Birmingham Youth Service and I have been working hard with colleagues to identify funding. However Birmingham is £79m short in its grant from government and this is the money we need to fund crucial services like the Birmingham Youth Service.

• Money
• Budget cuts
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