The Petition of Wakefield College and residents of the Wakefield constituency and others,
Declares that the previous Labour Government’s introduction of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA), to students from households where the combined family income is less than £30,810, has increased the recruitment and retention of 16 year olds in full-time education; further declares that 58% of students at Wakefield College receive an EMA; further declares that for many families the EMA has become an essential part of their income; further declares that the EMA is a vital tool for raising attainment levels for 16-19 year olds and increasing social mobility; and further declares that this financial support to young people continuing their education and training is a valuable investment in young people across the country.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to consider the value of the EMA as a vital support to students from low income backgrounds; to recognise the importance of the EMA as a tool for raising attainment levels for 16-19 year olds and to increase social mobility; to recognise the devastating impact any cuts to the EMA would have on students at Wakefield College; and to therefore pledge that the EMA will not be subject to Government cuts but protected and maintained in the future.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mary Creagh, Official Report, 19 October 2010; Vol. 516, c. 920.][P000865]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education, received 14 January 2011:
The Chancellor announced on 20 October that we would be ending the EMA scheme. The scheme will close to new applicants from 1 January 2011, and will close entirely at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. It is being replaced, from September 2011, with an enhanced discretionary learner support fund, enabling closer targeting of resource to individual young people who face a real financial barrier to participation.
Young people who are currently receiving the EMA will continue to receive it to the end of the academic year. Those students who need financial help from September 2011, including those previously in receipt of the EMA, may be eligible for support from the enhanced discretionary learner support fund.
In coming to this decision the Government have looked closely at evaluation evidence and other research carried out by the previous Labour Government, which shows that around 90% of recipients would have stayed on after 16 even if they had not received EMA.
We are maintaining the commitment to full participation and to raising the participation age. In replacing the EMA, we want colleges, schools and training organisations to be able to make sure that those students who need support the most will receive it.