Dark Days

I had to go on a Child Protection Course this morning in order to work within the school I do.

I did a year of a Social Work MA so had not really put much thought into it.

Forgot just how depressing it can be.

We were given a number of cases which just make you want to cry. The picture of Social Services was given as a fairly healthy one. I am not sure that is the case. Blame for some children was shifted onto the schools.

We were also told that the recession is biting and this has started having an impact on the stresses and strains within families. Furthermore there was much talk about food banks and the fact that people are going hungry.

Sadly since the 1960s never has this country been more ruled by those who have been to independent school and therefore have buckets of money. Our Prime Minister, Chancellor and now Archbishop all went to Eton. There is an even widening gap between the have a lots and the have a lot less and have nothing. I would consider my family to be OK. However we are feeling the pinch. Radio 2 has spent the last three mornings auctioning off ridiculous prizes costing thousands of pounds. It makes me wonder who these people are who can afford to phone in and just whack that on the credit card without a care. It makes me angry. It makes me feel divided from a Radio station that I usually enjoy.

Furthermore Gove is now forcing through an EBAcc Qualification. At the moment there are no creative subjects on it. As it is music is becoming more and more an avenue for the wealthy. Billy Bragg did a splendid speech about this the other day which has inspired this diatribe.

I sat with a man the other day of early seventies. He told me that his generation was the lucky one. No conscription, good grammar education, excellent jobs, excellent pensions. I had to agree. My generation also did ok. We got free University tuition and could buy a house with relative ease. Now my nieces and nephews cannot buy a house on the type of salary that we could have just over a decade ago.

Therefore in my eyes this country becomes more and more unequal. The redistribution of wealth continues to flow up and up. Our NHS is being dismantled by the back door and today we vote for Police Commissioners, many of whom will also probably use more and more privatised services.

I know there are a thousand and one issues mentioned in this but if some of you would consider signing this petition it would be fabulous x

Get Creative Arts on the EBacc.