I recently visited Lewisham College to talk to students in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance. 229 of the students who are on two year courses will have their current EMA cut off when year one ends this summer. The students told me they were spending their allowances on books, equipment, fares and food.
The students told me they were spending their allowances on books, equipment, fares and food. Without EMA the students say they will have to take part-time work but of course their chances of finding it are slim. It is unacceptable that students who began two year courses in good faith should be cut off half-way through.
After the visit I took up the issue at Education Questions. The Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes MP said that “students…will not be put at risk by changes we make, and we will certainly take full account of representations from her and others on that point.”
There is no money on the table yet, but I intend to keep Mr Hayes to his word and will take up each and every case of any student in my constituency who cannot get financial support to complete year two of their studies.
After the visit I took up the issue at Education Questions. The Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, John Hayes MP said that “students…will not be put at risk by changes we make, and we will certainly take full account of representations from her and others on that point.”
There is no money on the table yet, but I intend to keep Mr Hayes to his word and will take up each and every case of any student in my constituency who cannot get financial support to complete year two of their studies.
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