24/10/2011 Inside Out North East and Cumbria

In the next half-an-hour there is no smoke without fire. Should we

allow scrapyards in the heart of our cities? It's only 50 yards from

where people live. Richard and be here. Bottom of the class. Can we

persuade more northern students to go to university? I don't think

people round here are expected to go to university. I don't like

change, I don't want to leave all my friends. And if the thought of

student debt makes you want to run and hide, they may be an answer.

Alvin is here to help. I'm going to show you what a degree can really

cost and how you can avoid those fees altogether. Stories from the

heart of the North-East and Cumbria. The Great Fire of Byker made

international headlines, as firefighters tackled a huge

scrapyard blaze on Tyneside. The plume of smoke could be seen for

miles around. That and a spate of other scrapyard fires have left

some burning questions. Just what do they have on the premises, and

should they be sited so close to our homes? Fire broke out at the

Shepherd's scrapyard in Byker about 45 minutes ago. The smoke can be

May this year, and Tyne and Wear Fire Service is tested to the limit

when they have to tackle a huge blaze in Byker. What of the largest

scrapyards in this region. Firemen are beaten back by the ferocity of

the blaze. The it's very dangerous. It's very important nobody gets

hurt. I think we will be here for some hours. Hundreds of people come

to take photographs and witnessed the great Byker fire. We just came

down to see what it was. Two hours later, it's still burning.

Excitement soon gives way to concern. It's really frightening.

I'm still shaking, it's so traumatic. Residents in the Byker

Wall estate bear the brunt of the pollution. It was black. God knows

what people were suffering living here, it was heading straight this

way. It's only 50 yards away. It should never be there. His goal is

evacuated. People are told to stay indoors. When I first came round it

was really bad. I had to put white cardigan over my nose and mouth.

The police were telling everyone to get in their houses and shut their

doors and windows because it was toxic. We were playing out and saw

some smoke. We didn't realise what it was. We started coughing. All of

the Big smoke went all over. The can taste it, it's a choking smell.

It gets on your front and in your chest. Seven hours, 100

firefighters and thousands of gallons of water later and the

blaze is finally under control. But will we ever fully know what has

been released into the atmosphere? You are looking at a variety of

hydrocarbons, from fuels and oils. Cars these days contain quite

significant quantities of polymers and plastics. It's extremely

difficult to say exactly what is in the smoke plume from a scrapyard

fire, but you can say with a fair degree of accuracy that none of it

you should be breathing. So why in an age when we are all supposed to

be doing our bit for an environment should people who live close to

scrapyards have to put up with the potentially toxic consequences of

them are being set alight? This is a debate that is hotting up. A

month after the Byker fire, this scrapyard in Stockton went up in

flames. People at homes nearby were told to stay inside. Just last

month, a scrapyard in Dalton-in- Furness was set ablaze. Train

services were delayed and residents told to stay indoors. Several

previous buyers had been reported at the same site. In Sunderland,

major roads were closed after a scrapyard fire in Deptford. And

this fire, at a tyre dump at Langley Park in County Durham,

burnt for several days before it could be brought under control.

potential for fires within scrapyards is very high. If you've

got a process that requires oxyacetylene cutting gear of

propylene cutting gear to be used to reduce these vehicles down to

manageable chunks and then taken away for recycling, you are using

hot cutting gear quite close to large amounts of combustible

material. It's not surprising that we get fires in these facilities.

Back at Byker, it's the day after the big plays. The scrapyard

workers are still shocked by the speed that the fire spread Ann

Toward nearly engulfed them as they tried to put it out. Me and one of

the lads went in. When I turned around he wasn't there any longer.

I went back to find him in the smoke and what happened was

something had got in his eyes and he was on the deck holding his eyes.

We dragged him to safety near the offices. The crane driver, I don't

know how he managed to get out. He had to drive over and get out. I've

never seen a blaze anything like it. Its smouldering. You always get

that with fires of this complexity and size. Ian Robinson is leading

the investigation. We do know that the seat of the fire was in front

of us. At this point in time it was still in the early stages. The

cause of the ignition is still under investigation.

Environment Agency is also carrying out investigations, checking what

was stored at the yard and whether there has been air or water

pollution. Meanwhile, the site operators are counting the cost of

the blaze. It is heartbreaking. I know a lot of people think it's

only scrap metal but scrap metal to some people but it is our living.

month before Byker, another scrapyard fire hit the national

headlines, this time on the outskirts of London. Huge

disruption was caused when the M1 motorway was closed for the best

part of six days, causing misery and chaos to millions of commuters.

The government ordered an inquiry into the siting of scrapyards as a

result. The government is due to unveil its report into its findings

in the coming months. It could impact upon future planning

applications for scrapyards next to major roads or railway lines. But

does it go far enough? What about residence next to the Byker

scrapyard? How did they feel about the fire? Uncomfortable. I just

think that place shouldn't be near residential areas. I am here but

could you imagine living down there? If they were going to

develop this, that plays should have been long gone. There's always

been a scrapyard here. It's just the norm to us. But in

circumstances like this it is very dangerous. Especially for the toxic

smoke. Scrapyards to contain hazardous materials. I think the

question then has to be asked - do we want something that contain

these hazards with the potential for causing problems to be right in

the middle of our towns? Or do you decide you need to cite them on the

outskirts? Currently there are no government guidelines specific to

the siting of scrapyards, and there are no plans for a review on

environmental grounds. The Environment Agency is responsible

for day-to-day regulation, but because there's planning permission

for the Byker site the scrapyard is here to stay. If there was a new

application then quite clearly were would be consulting local residents,

seeking their views. The issue there is the scrapyard has existed

since the 1970s. We can't add additional controls on to deal with

potentially new hazards that have come to light now. The fire brigade

investigation into the blaze is now complete. The CCTV has given Ian a

chance to establish what happened. You got operation going on with the

crane. There are like wisps of smoke coming up from behind the

shrubs. You can see the fire starting to develop. What we've had

here is a metal to metal contact which has created a spark in the

area where we had something flammable. It's taken approximately

four minutes for the majority of that waste pile to be fully

engulfed. So the fire was an accident. But that's not the end of

the matter. The Environment Agency has completed its investigation. We

can reveal that court action could follow. The yard operator has been

questioned under caution about the amount and type of waste stored

there. I understand they've been ordered to change the way they

operate the site, particularly the way waste is stored and handled.

The decision on charges is expected in December. The union representing

firefighters is happy with the way the Byker blaze was handled. But

they believe there are wider lessons to be learnt. I would like

to see more regulation, more fire safety checks on these premises.

We've got to know the processes and the equipment and the plant that

these have. When we turn up to these incidents, we have not got a

clue what is inside that risk area. And would Ross, a professional

fireman, live in a house next to a scrapyard? No, I wouldn't consider

Based say you need a degree these days to get on. Here, we have some

of the lowest rates of kids going on to higher education. And that is

before any talk of higher fees. Chris Connel, fresh from his

success on Broadway, has been back to Ashington, home of the Pitmen

Nowadays, those with the brains to get university usually go, right?

In parts of the self that is true. But not appear. There are whole

areas where the number of kids going into higher education is very

small indeed. If you happen to come from a low-income family, that

figure is minute. Take Northumberland. Only 7% of kids on

free school meals go on to University. That is third bottom in

England. And while the total number in England go to university went up

by nearly 44 % over a decade, it went down by 4% in the Blyth Valley

and Bedlington area. So why come up here to Bedlington high-school to

find out what it is that puts so many people off in this county from

going on to higher education. Is it the height in tuition fees, is it

simply a case of attitudes? If so, what can we do to change those

attitudes? This Community High School has around 750 pupils. It's

rapidly improving, but it still has plenty of bright, able kids who

rule out University. I've come to talk to Class 11 x one, that would

be fifth-formers to me and you, to see what they think about

university. I am used to dealing with one teenager, I've got one at

home, but 25 of them... This could be a nightmare! I've brought with

me some pens and every teenager's favourite thing, some Inside Out

cards. This should be a doddle. I think I will sneak in and sit at

Jackie, Alice, death, Harry, Lewis, Ryan, a Georgina, Ryan, Georgina,

Charlotte, Emma, Jessica, Adam, Liam, Niall me, KT, Josie. They're

doing their GCSEs. Could I interrupt? Do you mind if I borrow

your class career that? Hollow, everybody. Hollow! You're all keen!

How many of you actually intend to go on to university? 6. He is

worried about tuition fees. -- who is worried. I asked them what

percentage of kids on three school meals in this area went to

university. -- free school meals. You may remember I told you earlier

it was 7%. While they are diverted, I find out what they really think

about university. I just think it is quite a lot of money. You have

to move away and everything. used to guarantee you a job and it

does not any more. �6,000 for that is a bit much. Well, I am just

going to take a quick break. First impressions? Lovely group of

students. One of the themes that seems to be dominant is money. How

much will it cost? During the break, I watched the head in action.

your shirt tucked in, please. Many students, they believe university

is not for them, it is for other people. The people who are more

wealthy, brighter and so on. That is one of the biggest challenges we

face. We need to instil a sense of persistence, resilience and

confidence in themselves. Back in class. I am enjoying this. Come

round this side of the table. You don't want to go? Why? I don't like

change. I don't want to leave my friends. I don't feel confident

about applying. There is lots of competition in the south. People

are expected to go to university from other places than here. Why is

that? Because they are more polished than us. You've just seen

me in action. From your professional point of view, clearly

you must be thinking, "This guy's a natural". I do not know if I

thought that. You were very good and we always welcome new teachers

into the school, but you were a bit unclear in your delivery, and

secondly, I would not have got them standing up after the discussion.

But overall, well done. Thank you. But I must be more clear! Please.

Thanks, Miss. The comments from the pupils seem out of step compared to

the rest of England. A survey commissioned by Inside Out

suggested that around one in ten A- level students in England were put

off university because of the increased tuition fees. Overall,

the benefits of university were viewed as outweighing the costs. My

class are not as sure university would benefit them. The thing is, I

understand this attitude. My old teacher explains why, by summing up

my glittering school career. Jack-the-lad! One of the boys. You

see, that cheeky smile, that is it. That is the face I remember. It is

not my fault. There has been big changes since I was here. How would

they cope with me? If you come in after 8.50am, you lose your break.

Twice in one week, you do half an hour on a Friday night. Selling

your dinner tickets - cannot do that anymore. We have a card system.

Should I go and stand outside of your office now? I think you would

have been in detention for some of your behaviour! I did not get any

A-levels. It was my fault. I did not see the point. Today, I am

taking the kids to Newcastle University for the first time. Will

attitudes change? I already had lunch before I got on the buss. I

think I will go and chat to my friends. Are you not excited we're

going to university? It is a bit scary. Do you think it will be full

of professors wandering around with big beards? Hopefully not.

university has a well worked-out programme for potential students.

They start by making balloon towers. You might want some different sized

ones. Next, a hand-knotting type thingy. If you have your eyes open,

we are going to have to start again. I did not have them open open!

I'll let you off this once. we're all relaxed... Stand up if

you think you have the potential to go to university. Well... I like

your confidence. Then, we're unleashed to take photos and become

familiar with the campus. Three, I stopped for a quick chat to the

University big-wig. We need to get over to them, actually, it is a

long-term benefit and they won't start having to pay back the loan

until they're earning �21,000, and then it is only about �1 per day.

Back with the kids, that message is being hammered home. You don't have

to start paying off your loan until ten months after you have graduated

and you have to be earning �21,000. From 2012 entry, the university

will be offering 20 scholarships, which are full fee scholarships,

worth �9,000. Has the introduction done the trick? I was unsure, but

now I do want to go. I got here and I felt staggered. I was worried

about the costs. What do you think you're going to do now? I am going

to go. But what about Adam, who is dead against? I would come to

university. The people I have met have made me feel welcome. It is

incredible. The fear and money worries seem to have disappeared.

As I say goodbye to the class, I'm Welling up. Cheers. It was an

absolute pleasure. Thank you very much. You are out-going, aren't

you? Obviously. Will you miss me? Possibly. See you later. Goodbye. I

think that was brilliant. I was really pleased. A lot of them were

undecided, a lot of them are definitely not going to come, but

each and every one of them is seriously considering it. If they

do go on to do other things, it is great to know that they have the

right to make the choice and they can decide whether they're going to

come here or not. They are as good as anybody else. That is brilliant.

It changed minds and made a difference. Unfortunately, the

school says it cannot afford these trips any more. Funding has been

withdrawn by the Government. That survey that Chris mentioned

suggests that almost half of all students here in the North would be

prepared to go abroad to study. But is that the only way to beat the

fees? We asked our financial guru to tackle the subject that is

preying on every student's mind. Young, confused and afraid? This is

what thousands of teenagers across England fear - a lifetime on the

run. But what is chasing them? Student debt. But is it really

going to be the horrible thing that we have been led to believe?

Whether you think next year's hike in fees is fair or not, it is

happening. Young people need to know the facts. I'm going to show

you what a degree can really cost and how you can avoid those fees

altogether. Next year, English universities will charge up to

�9,000 a year. With living costs on top, graduates can face debts of

around �50,000. But how much will they actually end up paying back?

I've come to meet some sixth- formers in Birmingham to show them.

I think the number is going to shock them. I think that earning

interest over such a long time that you pay back that loan, there

really is a number that most people do not think about. Let's imagine

that you graduate from university with �50,000 worth of debt. And you

get a high-paying job, which we expect Jacob will get! How much of

that money do you have to pay back? I'm not quite sure. Is it all of

it? You have to pay back all of it and more. Oh, interest? Interest.

Oh, God. Oh, God, is right! �75,000. Is that just for one person? Yes.

That is horrible. Is that just for the average degree of three years.

Yes. If you take out the maximum loan. But what if, for some reason,

their careers do not go as planned and they never earne more than

�21,000 a year? The amount you have to payback is...? Zero. So what is

going on? Basically, the repayment of the

loan works like taxes. The more you earn, the more you pay back. If you

never earn above a certain amount, then you never pay back a penny.

The new independent taskforce on student finance is led by Martin

Lewis. The biggest confusion out there is

that people confuse the price tag - these �9,000 fees, totalling

�50,000 at the end of university - with the actual cost. This is a

very different type of system. Many people won't come close to repaying

in full what they borrowed. Some will not repay anything at all. The

bewildering fact that is putting people off going to university is

the fact that people are looking at the price tag and not the cost.

But most graduates will face large debt. Is there any way of avoiding

the fees? Yes. You can study abroad. At the recent StudentWorld Fair in

London, teenagers discover just how much they can save. I think

everyone would rather go to a university where they're paying

�8,000 cheaper than the UK. If the fees are a lot cheaper, that is

more attractive. In fact, dozens of universities across Europe offer

courses taught in English. The fees differ from country to country, but

in Scandinavia, tuition is free. Denmark, we have no tuition fees.

The Danish government pays for Danish students and, according to

European Union rules, we have to treat other EU citizens alike.

Harriet Moore has already taken the plunge. She is off back to

university in Slovakia. I'm trying to save money on my flights, so

hand-luggage it is! Over there, she saves a fortune on living costs,

spending just �100 a month. I caught up with her via web cam.

What could be the piece of advice you would give to anyone

considering doing what you have done? If you are considering it,

you should go for it, definitely. It is worth doing. You have to be a

bit brave for the first plane journey, but I would never look

Time's up. I want my money. I want my �50,000.

So, studying overseas may be one way to avoid the debt.

But there are downsides. If you study abroad, the government here

will not give you a loan. Only some of the courses are taught in

English and some employers might not recognise foreign degrees. So

you need to do your homework. Another way of beating the fees is

to get someone else to pay. But who? London's financial heartland

is a good place to look. Don't be fooled by the power suits! Believe

it or not, these youngsters are all freshers. They are being sponsored

by accountancy giant, KPMG. The entire package was a degree, a

salary, tuition fees were paid, you got a job at the end and you were

helped to become a qualified and chartered accountant.

It sounds too good to be true. Was there any catch?

I have not seen one. I do not think there is one. As with everything,

you have to work hard and that is the only catch.

And the man who runs the programme tells me KPMG do not offer the

stereotypical student experience. This is an extremely intensive

programme. They have to work for us, study for their degree and get

their chartered accounting qualification in six years. That

will require hard work and that's all we really ask of the students.

But is there another way of avoiding the debt? Well, you can

pay up front. This 16-year-old girl is trying to do just that. As well

as studying for her A-levels, she sells beauty products on her

website. I started my business because I

wanted to save up for university because of the rising prices of the

university fees. It would be too much for my parents to pay for it.

I hope to not get into debt, because I know it takes a long time

to get out of debt. I do not want to be in that place.

The Government allows students to pay up front. But most will have to

take out a loan. But one financial expert believes that graduates

could end up paying back far more than anyone has predicted.

This financial journalist is warning students to beware.

The problem is that the deal is actually not a deal.

There are all these numbers flying about saying that you will be

charged a certain rate of interest on the loan, that your repayments

will start at �21,000, over that you will be paying a certain

percentage, but none of those parameters are in the contract that

the student signs up for. In fact, the Government can change those

numbers if it wants to in five years' time, ten years' time, 20

years' time, 30 years' time. Students could end up paying a lot

more. But any big changes would have to

be approved by Parliament. Like many Americans, I graduated with

the equivalent of tens of thousands of pounds worth of debt. It was

daunting. But if you know the facts, student debt does not have to be

scary. I confronted it and so can That is all for tonight. I have

more information on that university survey on my blog. I would also

like to hear your views on the price of education. Just go to my