Dame Joan Ruddock 
Former MP for Lewisham Deptford
  • Home
  • Latest News
    • Joan in Parliament
    • Early Day Motions
  • About Joan
  • Constituency
    • Local Groups & Organisations
    • Constituency Campaigns
    • Map of the Constituency
    • Constituency Facts & Figures
  • Gallery
  • Contact & Surgeries
    • When to Contact Your MP
    • Tours of Parliament
    • Watch a Debate/PMQs
  • News Archive
  • FAQs
    • Useful Links

Students Say "Keep EMA"

7/2/2011

 
Picture
“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.


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    October 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    November 2007
    October 2007
    September 2007
    July 2007
    June 2007


    Categories

    All
    Benefits
    Charity
    Community Groups
    Crime
    Culture
    Cuts
    Deptford Station
    East London Line
    Education
    Employment
    Environment
    Equality
    Health
    Housing
    In Parliament
    Labour Party
    Law
    Lewisham Deptford
    Local Government
    Money
    Older People
    Surrey Canal Road Station
    Transport
    Women
    Young People

    RSS Feed

This website was established while I was the Member of Parliament for Lewisham Deptford. 

All parliamentary copyright images reproduced with the permission of Parliament.