Budget 2012 - How Has It Affected You?

national | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Monday December 05, 2011 19:46

by Wannabe Postgrad

My story...tell us yours

The piece below describes how Budget 2012 has hit me. I hope that you will share your own reactions to the budget and how it will impact upon you. Let's hear the human stories behind the headlines

Budget 2012 has effectively put an end to my ambitions of continuing my education.

I recently graduated from university with a 1st class honours degree that is next to useless in the current jobs climate. I had hoped to use this year either in paid work or, more realistically, in a internship in a field related to my degree. I'm doing neither, despite making many applications. I had one, unsuccessful, interview for an internship where I learned that most of the applicants had postgraduate qualifications.

I had planned on doing a masters degree next year and, maybe even a Phd afterwards, depending on how the masters went. I would at least be in a better position to get work with a masters than with my BA.

Today's budget has changed all of that. If I'm lucky, I might get some help towards fees. However, because of the system, my parents will be means tested as well as myself because I was living with them before I commenced my degree. I'm 30 years old and my parents can certainly not afford to fund my education...I did my BA with the help of the Back to Education Allowance. Because of the ridiculously low income threshold though, I may be considered ineligible for the fees grant. Even with it though, I still need to find the money to pay rent and maintenance for myself throughout my studies.

Basically I'm screwed. No work, no more education and nor am I in a position to emigrate. My rent supplement is also being cut.

I'm not here to ask for sympathy, but to highlight what this budget has done to me. I'm sure that many of you reading will have been hit in different ways, and more of you will be hit further tomorrow.

I'm suggesting that you post up here and share how the Budget is hitting you and your families, and highlight the realities behind the spin and statistics.