The NUS demo against Student Hardship was held on the 20th Feb. 2002 in London. Abertay Students joined tens of thousands of Students from every corner of the UK in a move to highlight the increasing burden on Students as a result of the debt they are accumulating during their studies. The demo was a success and is likely to affect the Governments future policies regarding student funding. Below, you can find a message by Owain James (NUS President) and look at some photos of the rally...

A messgae from Owain James | NUS President

Congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the tens of thousands of you who have been joining in NUS campaigns over the last few months. The recent national demo was a massive success - we got almost blanket media coverage on TV, radio and the papers and the atmosphere along the march was excellent! The immediate result was that it put pressure on the government to announce a clear schedule for the funding review - something that they have been dragging their heels over for some time.

Also, for the thousands who wrote in to the Prime Minister and signed the Education Petition - we have already had an acknowledgement from Tony Blair whose office will now look through your messages and will pass them on to the Secretary of State for Education as evidence for further consideration during the review! If you haven't yet signed the petition you can do so at http://www.payuptony.com. Alternatively you can write a letter to Tony Blair and send it to us at: downingstreetletters@nus.org.uk and we'll forward it on your behalf.

NUS is growing from strength to strength in it's work - we launched a national campaign with the Equal Opportunities Commission to eliminate the inequalities in pay for women graduates. We are about to launch a Student Charity Day on May 3rd when unions around the country will be fundraising for young people affected by HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. If you wish to get involved in the charity take a look at http://www.nusonline.co.uk for more details.

And, needless to say we are planning the next stages of the funding campaign. The time from now until the summer will be pivotal for the outcome of the review and I hope that all of you stay involved and join with the national union's campaigns, because together, we have the power to really make a difference and win for students!

With very best wishes
Owain James
NUS National President

		Member of the Exec and other Abertay Students at the start of the march