YOUNG people took to the streets of Blackburn to protest against Government cuts to services.

Residents of St Vincent’s Blackburn Foyer waved placards and banners during the peaceful demonstration outside Blackburn Town Hall on Monday.

They are campaigning against plans to axe educational maintenance allowance (EMA), a payment scheme for 16 to 19-year-olds from low income backgrounds who have chosen to stay in education, and housing allowance cuts.

Changes to housing benefits and room rates mean Foyer residents will only be able to afford a shared home until they are possibly middle-aged.

The Foyer provides supported accommodation for 16 to 25-year-olds, offering a safe and secure home environment.

And virtually all preventative services accessible by the residents have been cut.

Residents from St Vincent’s Manchester Foyer also took part in the action on Monady night.

The peaceful demonstration, devised by the residents, gave them an opportunity to be directly involved in democracy and freedom of speech as part of Welfare Action Week.

Natasha Piper and Mary Haynes, from St Vincent’s Blackburn Foyer, said: “We demonstrated because young people could lose their homes under the Universal Payment System.

“We won’t be in a position to pay our own rent as we are still working on budgeting skills. We feel angry and worried.”

Charlie Norman, operations director at St Vincent’s, said: “We are very proud of the achievements of the young people at both our Foyers over the last 13 years.

“The opportunities for work, study and move-on accommodation have led to some fantastic outcomes for disadvantaged young people who have lived at the foyers.

“Now, all we can see on the horizon is less hope and less opportunity for independence.”