By Hugh Bayley
There are currently just under 20,000 students in York from many different backgrounds – bringing with them a range of talents which have now made York a centre for academic excellence. With the increasing investment in the city, particularly in skilled science and technology based jobs, many students stay in and around York after they graduate, providing a pool of new graduates for the Yorkshire workforce in the private, public and voluntary sectors.
I myself first moved to York in 1974 to study for my Masters in Southern African Studies. After graduating, I worked for a trade union, negotiating health service workers’ pay. In 1982, I set up a television production company, which was funded by Oxfam, Amnesty International, Friends of the Earth and other campaign groups to make programmes about the environment and international development. In 1986 I moved back to York and worked as a lecturer in the University’s Social Policy department, and later as a Research Fellow in health economics. I stood (unsuccessfully) as the Labour candidate for York in the 1987 general election, and again in 1992 when I was first elected as the city’s MP. My children grew up in York, and went to local state schools. Like me, my wife did a second degree at York University and has also studied at York St Johns. She works at the Retreat.
The York economy benefits greatly from the student population. With the total expenditure of the average student at £12,250 per year – £6,500 of this being on living costs such as food, clothes, and going out – students are not only big local consumers, but many also work in the local economy. This provides an invaluable group of educated part time workers for local businesses.
York students give back to the city through numerous volunteering projects. The York Students in Schools programme puts students into local classrooms to support teachers by working with children to motivate their learning, help raise their aspirations and achievement, and provide valuable role models. Various YUSU community projects make a real difference to the lives of my constituents, for example the tea and coffee club – where students go to visit older people in York’s residential homes, or Minds in Motion – where students from the medical school help support people with dementia.
People come to study in York from around the world. In fact, 20 per cent of York students come from outside the UK, which brings not only economic benefits to the university, but makes York a more diverse place, with people from many different nationalities, cultures and faiths.
I regularly get asked to support campaigns, ask parliamentary questions, or sign parliamentary motions by students on both national and global issues. This is healthy for our democracy. It shows that students are still an influential political force, and it makes sure that as the city’s MP, I am up to date with the issues facing students.
Whether it’s through supporting local businesses, volunteering, or signing a petition, every student that comes to York will in some way make a positive contribution to the city.
Hugh Bayley is the Labour MP for York