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UK students turn to sex industry to fund education

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Summary of story from BBCNews, December 14, 2011

The National Union of Students (NUS) claims a greater number of UK students are turning to prostitution and gambling to fund their education.

It has estimated that about 20 per cent of women working in lap dancing clubs were students.

Estelle Hart, the NUS’s national women’s officer, said government cuts had put more pressure on students.

“Students are taking more dangerous measures,” said Ms Hart.

“In an economic climate where there are very few jobs, where student support has been massively cut, people are taking more work in the informal economy, such as sex work.

“It’s all dangerous unregulated work, simply so people can stay in education.”

Despite the government saying they offer a “generous package” of financial support, the NUS says increased living costs and fees, plus cuts in the education maintenance allowance, play a part.

And it is not just university students turning to the adult industry; girls as young as 18 are joining escort agencies during A-levels.

Sarah Walker, from The English Collective of Prostitutes, says: “They [ministers] know that the cuts they’re making are driving women into things like sex work.

“It’s a survival strategy so we would hold the government responsible for that.”

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