All 4 Petitions debates in the Commons on 4th Mar 2011

Petitions

Friday 4th March 2011

(13 years, 9 months ago)

Petitions
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Friday 4 March 2011

Education Maintenance Allowance

Friday 4th March 2011

(13 years, 9 months ago)

Petitions
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The Petition of Liverpool Community College students and staff,
Declares that the petitioners oppose the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA); that the petitioners believe that the EMA helps thousands of young people to reach their full potential; that the petitioners believe that the loss of EMA will damage the country’s economic future and impact on social justice by making it harder for disadvantaged young people to access education; and that the petitioners believe that the abolition of the EMA will lead to cuts in local provision as colleges respond to reductions in learner numbers.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government not to abolish the Education Maintenance Allowance and to continue supporting adult learners through the Adult Learning Grant.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Luciana Berger, Official Report, 21 December 2010; Vol. 520, c. 1429.]
[P000873]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
The Chancellor announced on 20 October that we would be ending the EMA scheme. The EMA scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011 and will close entirely at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. We intend to replace it, from September 2011, with a more efficient and effective package of financial support which is more closely targeted on those who face genuine financial barriers to participation.
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.
We remain committed to supporting adult students in further education. We signalled in the Skills Investment Strategy that as the Adult Learning Grant (ALG) provides vital support any reform would need to be managed carefully and in consultation with the sector. Streamlining some of the current learner support funds into one discretionary fund is in response to the sector, who indicated they would welcome a more coherent and simplified approach to student support. In doing this we are not reducing the amount of support available, but reviewing the way in which it is administered and awarded. In transferring the amount of budget allocated to ALG currently, we want colleges and other training providers to be able to make sure those students who need support most will receive it.
The Petition of students of Walsall College,
Declares that the Petitioners oppose any reduction in weekly Education Maintenance Allowance payments in this Parliament; notes that the Petitioners further oppose the loss of financial support to 14 to 19-year-olds from low-income families who wish to stay on in further education.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to continue the payment of Education Maintenance Allowance.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Valerie Vaz, Official Report, 19 January 2011; Vol. 521, c. 978.]
[P000878]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
The Chancellor announced on 20 October that we would be ending the EMA scheme. The EMA scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011 and will close entirely at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. We intend to replace it, from September 2011, with a more efficient and effective package of financial support which is more closely targeted on those who face genuine financial barriers to participation.
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.
The Petition of residents of Sunderland and the surrounding area,
Declares that the Petitioners oppose the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance; and notes that education can provide a better future for young people.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government not to abolish the Education Maintenance Allowance.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mrs Sharon Hodgson, Official Report, 18 January 2011; Vol. 521, c. 812.]
[P000880]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
The Chancellor announced on 20 October that we would be ending the EMA scheme. The EMA scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011 and will close entirely at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. We intend to replace it, from September 2011, with a more efficient and effective package of financial support which is more closely targeted on those who face genuine financial barriers to participation.
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.

Further and Higher Education Funding

Friday 4th March 2011

(13 years, 9 months ago)

Petitions
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The Petition of students and staff of Swallow Hill Community College, and others,
Declares that the Petitioners oppose the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance; and further declares that the Petitioners oppose the Government’s decision to raise Higher Education tuition fees.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reverse its decisions to abolish the Education Maintenance Allowance and to raise Higher Education tuition fees.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Rachel Reeves, Official Report, 18 January 2011; Vol. 521, c. 812.]
[P000879]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
The Chancellor announced on 20 October that we would be ending the EMA scheme. The EMA scheme closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011 and will close entirely at the end of the 2010-11 academic year. We intend to replace it, from September 2011, with a more efficient and effective package of financial support which is more closely targeted on those who face genuine financial barriers to participation.
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.
Our proposals to reform higher education funding and student finance incorporate a range of measures to ensure that students from poorer backgrounds can have full and fair access to a higher education. This includes the fact that the Government will provide the up-front finance for anyone eligible who secures a place at university so that graduates do not have to contribute to the cost of their higher education until they are earning more than £21,000.
We are also proposing a generous student support package to help full-time students with living costs. The poorest students will be able to get more non-repayable grant than under the current system and most full-time students should have no less overall support for living costs than they do now.
We are asking universities and colleges that want to charge above £6,000 per annum (and subject to a limit of £9,000 in exceptional circumstances) for any or all of their courses first to secure the agreement of the Office for Fair Access, and meet tough new access conditions. And we have announced a new £150 million National Scholarship Programme to attract bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds to help them access universities and guarantee them extra support to help them meet the costs of going to university.
Good quality and diverse higher education is a benefit to society and to the economy in the long term. These proposals will ensure that our world-class higher education sector has the sustainable long-term funding it needs and that those who can benefit from a higher education have the opportunity to participate.

Charge on Single Use Carrier Bags

Friday 4th March 2011

(13 years, 9 months ago)

Petitions
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The Petition of supporters of Penrith Action for Community Transition (PACT) in Penrith, Cumbria,
Declares that the Petitioners wish to see a significant reduction in the issuing of plastic carrier bags by retailers through the introduction of a compulsory charge, as in the case of Wales where a charge of 7p per bag is to be in place from spring 2011.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to introduce the compulsory charge on the issuing of single-use carrier bags in England, for which it has power under section 77 (and Schedule 6) of the Climate Change Act 2008.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented, Official Report, 9 February 2011; Vol. 523, c. 3 P.]
[P000886]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
The Government are working towards a zero-waste economy. To date, the Government have sought to achieve reductions in the amount of carrier bags issued via voluntary agreements, rather than legislation.
The first of two voluntary agreements, between UK Governments and 21 high street retailers, reduced the environmental impact of carrier bags by 40% between May 2006 and December 2008, exceeding the 25% target. Signatories to the agreement encouraged reuse of carrier bags, increased recycled content and reduced the weight of their carrier bags, among other measures.
The second agreement, between UK Governments and the UK’s leading supermarkets (represented by the BRC), achieved a 48% reduction in numbers of bags distributed between May 2006 and May 2009.
The latest annual data for 2010 show a continuous year-on-year reduction in the numbers and in the weight of all bags. Since 2006, these have dropped by 41% and 42% respectively. For single use bags, the reduction was 43% in numbers and 51% in weight.
The Government are currently undertaking a review of all waste policy and the issue of single-use carrier bags will be included in this. This is expected to report in May.
The Welsh Assembly Government legislation requiring a charge to be made for single-use carrier bags comes into force in October 2011. We will of course consider their experience.