“Keep EMA” was the message I received from Lewisham College students when I met a group who are currently in receipt of the Allowance. The Government has said repeatedly that EMA is not well targeted. I wanted to sit down with students to hear their experiences.
Whilst all the students agreed that they would have still applied for the courses they are currently on, even if there hadn’t have been EMA, they didn’t know how they were going to cope without the allowance next academic year and what it would mean for their studies.
When I asked about how the allowance was targeted it was generally felt that the banding levels of £10, £20 or £30 per week meant that EMA was well targeted to those who need help. Several of the students I spoke with were trying to find part time work; but without much success and they are currently using their EMA to buy books, equipment, basic essentials and their lunch.
EMA was put in place to support students like Sadie, who uses her EMA to pay for lunch and books and Ryan, who has been looking for part time work for several months.
I will continue to lobby the government to take action to help those who are already part way through their courses and to ensure that whatever new system they intend to bring in continues to provide the support that students like the ones I met need.
When I asked about how the allowance was targeted it was generally felt that the banding levels of £10, £20 or £30 per week meant that EMA was well targeted to those who need help. Several of the students I spoke with were trying to find part time work; but without much success and they are currently using their EMA to buy books, equipment, basic essentials and their lunch.
EMA was put in place to support students like Sadie, who uses her EMA to pay for lunch and books and Ryan, who has been looking for part time work for several months.
I will continue to lobby the government to take action to help those who are already part way through their courses and to ensure that whatever new system they intend to bring in continues to provide the support that students like the ones I met need.
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