‘I want to see an end to the appalling way we treat uni students’, Corbyn tells The Manchester Tab

We spoke to former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP after the launch of his new campaign ‘The Right to Clothing Campaign’


Jeremy Corbyn has told The Manchester Tab he wants to see an “end to the appalling way we treat higher education students in Britain”.

Ahead of today’s mini-budget announcement, the government have been urged not to forget students in the cost-of-living crisis. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn MP told the Tab: “I think the system of funding for higher education needs fundamental reform which is why I’ve always proposed that we end university tuition fees and return to a much higher level of maintenance grant for students.

Jeremy spoke at the launch of ‘The Right to Clothing Campaign’ at the University of Manchester yesterday.

The campaign aim is to raise awareness of clothing deprivation and provide clothing directly to those in need. Corbyn plans to bring about a change in the law to ensure that charity is not required for any individual to access adequate clothing. He said: “Food provision keeps people alive. Clothing provision allows people to live their life.”

Jeremy joked about being involved in a campaign for the provision of clothing after being voted as the worst dressed MP for three years running. The campaign is a joint initiative by Sharewear UK, Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace and Justice Project and Dr Luke D. Graham at The University of Manchester.

Jeremy praised Manchester university students for their support of local food and clothing banks. He also conveyed his shock at the number of students “who find life so difficult and so expensive in Britain that they have completely ran out of money”. He said he has seen first-hand the rise in students using food banks.

Directly addressing Manchester University students, he told them: “Welcome to Welcome Week. I hope your university experience is a fantastic one. I hope It is uplifting, enjoyable, creative and you make lifelong friendships from it”

Jeremy Corbyn MP said: “I am delighted that the Peace and Justice Project is working with Sharewear UK in this important campaign and look forward to the launch in Manchester to raise awareness and grassroots support for this vital issue.”
Manchester was chosen specifically for the launch due to its history of solidarity as the centre of the textile industry.

Dr Luke Graham, a UoM academic specialising in Human Rights law and destitution said: “Whilst other deprivations, notably food deprivations, are highly publicised and visible in the UK public consciousness the same is not true of clothing deprivation.”

The campaign is also building a Right to Clothing Network comprising of foodbanks, charities, trade union branches, campaigns and organisations working in the field of clothing depravation. The campaign will also look at two important strands related to the right to clothing: sustainability in fashion and garment-workers rights and is inviting groups working in this field to join their network.

We also confirmed that Jeremy is a huge fan of the ‘oooooh Jeremy Corbyn’ sung by crowds at festivals and encourages everyone to keep singing!

For ways to get involved with the campaign in Manchester, head to The Right to Clothing campaign website. 

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