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No student loan without ID card, says government |
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Students will be "blackmailed" into holding identity cards in order to apply for student loans, the Tories have warned.
According to Home Office documents leaked to the Conservative party on Wednesday, those applying for student loans will be forced to hold identity cards to get the funding from 2010.
Anyone aged 16 or over will be expected to obtain a card - costing up to £100 - to open a bank account or apply for a student loan.
The National Union of Students (NUS) described the revelation in the leaked National Identity Scheme Delivery Strategy document as "morally reprehensible" and said it would bog students down in red tape.
NUS VP for Welfare, Ama Uzowuru, said: "It is extremely disappointing that the government is planning to use students as guinea pigs for this scheme by forcing them to take on ID cards in order to apply for a loan.
"Besides being morally reprehensible, this plan is also completely impractical. The student loan system is complicated enough as it is, without introducing yet another layer of bureaucracy to the process. Many students change address at least once a year and would be obliged to report such changes in their personal circumstances or face a £1,000 fine."
She added: "We would also be concerned for the safety of students' personal information if they were forced to enter the ID card system."
"This is blackmail pure and simple. The government has proven time and time again that it cannot be trust with public data. The only way they can implement their failed policy is by forcing people. Education should be a right not a privilege decided by handing over your identity," said Stephen Mullen, SU President
Join our Facebook group (Don't blackmail students into getting ID Cards):
http://blackpool.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8531658175
Sources: The Guardian, Silicon.com
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YOUR UNION Executive 07 - 08 |
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President/Treasurer Leeann Emsley manifesto Entertainments Officers
Rebecca Brewster
Zoe Louise Cunningham manifesto Communications Officer
James Ryan manifesto Student Governors (1 HE & 1 FE)
Leeann Emsley Joanna Brown Bispham Campus Officer
Joanna Brown Young Persons Officer
Josh Robinson Disabled Students Officer
Charlotte Sadler Women's Officer
Rebecca Brewster LGBT Officer
Sarah Lam manifesto Mature Students Officer
David Orth |
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Union to launch radio station |
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The Students' Union is to launch on online radio station next academic year. If you're a budding DJ or presenter and would like to host your own show, or you have a band and would like to showcase your talents, please get in contact with us.
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The SU now has a group on there called "Blackpool & The Fylde College Students' Union" where you can discuss the college and the Students' Union.
It only takes a second to sign up, and when you do type "blackpool college" into the search box and you'll find us.
It would be especially great to see loads of course reps on there, so we can communicate better with you.
SU Facebook group
- Click here
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Some of you have been asking about the FREE NUS Cards. The Free NUS Democracy Cards are now available from the Bispham and Central Campus offices, and from Seasiders Campus Representative.
Please note that the free NUS Democracy cards are not a discount card and are just proof of student status and membership the Students' Union and the National Union of Students.
If you require a discount card then the NUS Extra Card is the one for you. It costs £10 and is available from the Students' Union offices or online (see link above).
You DO NOT need an NUS Card to be a member of the Students' Union. Membership of the Students' Union (and the NUS via our affiliation) is automatic upon becoming a student at the college.
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