Ten leading economists have written to the Guardian newspaper today criticising the government's abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), the scheme that pays £10 to £30 week to less privileged students to stay in further education.
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme, defended here by shadow education secretary Andy Burnham, was launched in September 2004 to assist students from poorer backgrounds with essential costs of education such as travel, books and internet access.
"It is awful what they are doing, the government are an absolute disgrace, they should be ashamed of themselves. Us students that come from a less fortunate background will not get the chance of education that more well off families get. Therefore the rich will become richer and the poor will become poorer - disguising to be honest", said student Emma Briggs.
The scheme which was extensively researched by the Institute of Fiscal Studies in 2005 concluded that students receiving the EMA had improved staying-on rates and qualifications. Despite the overwhelming evidence that EMA benefits poorer students, it has been axed by the coalition government.
"When I first heard that EMA was getting axed, I never believed it, partly because I thought it was just too disgusting to be true. Now I know it’s being cancelled, I’m absolutely appalled. It means I may not be able to continue my education next year, as I’m in my first year of 6th form. I am strongly against this government now, and I hope he recognises this as being a very sickening decision", said sixth for student Bethany Jane Stewart.
More about EMA
The £10.00 to £30.00 a week allowance was awarded to 16 to 19 year-old students from families whos household income is below £30,000. There was also more help available for students from families with a household income below £20,000.
The Institute of Fiscal Studies Research