The Humble Petition of Stephen Yemm, citizen of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and others, including 420 other students of West Nottinghamshire College and Queen Elizabeth School, both based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire,
Sheweth, that they are opposed to the axing of the Education Maintenance Allowance which currently helps thousands of young people reach their full potential.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House calls upon the Government not to axe the EMA, but instead to continue with it supporting adult learners through this adult learning grant.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.—[Presented by Mr Alan Meale, Official Report, Tuesday 8 February 2011; Vol. 523, c. 270.]
[P000885]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
We announced in October 2010 our intention to end the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme because it was a very expensive way of supporting young people to continue in education or training and was not well targeted on those who are facing the greatest financial barriers to participation.
On 28 March 2011 we announced a new £180 million 16-19 bursary fund. From September 2011, schools, colleges and training organisations will be able to target support towards those young people who most need support to enable them to continue their education and training post-16. We also announced proposed transitional arrangements to help the majority of young people who are presently in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance.
We are currently consulting on the proposed arrangements. Further details of the proposals and the consultation can be found at http://www.education.gov. uk/consultations/ . The consultation ends on 20 May 2011.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) remains committed to supporting adult students in further education. BIS published the “Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth” strategy in November 2010. Within it the intention to change the current arrangements for adult learner support from the 2011-12 academic year was outlined. 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, BIS is not reducing the amount of support available, but simplifying the way in which it is administered and awarded.
Existing ALG recipients will be able to apply for continuing funding until the end of their course. By merging the remaining budget allocated to ALG into a discretionary fund, BIS is enabling colleges and other training providers to be able to make sure those students who need support most will receive it.
The Petition of residents of Leicester and the surrounding areas,
Declares that the Petitioners oppose the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance; notes that a substantial number of young people are in receipt of the Education Maintenance Allowance in Leicester; and further 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 Keith Vaz, Official Report, 9 March 2011; Vol. 524, c. 1030.]
[P000897]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
We announced in October 2010 our intention to end the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme because it was a very expensive way of supporting young people to continue in education or training and was not well targeted on those who are facing the greatest financial barriers to participation.
On 28 March 2011 we announced a new £180 million 16-19 bursary fund. From September 2011, schools, colleges and training organisations will be able to target support towards those young people who most need support to enable them to continue their education and training post-16. We also announced proposed transitional arrangements to help the majority of young people who are presently in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance.
We are currently consulting on the proposed arrangements. Further details of the proposals and the consultation can be found at http://www.education.gov. uk/consultations/. The consultation ends on 20 May 2011.
The Petition of residents of Leicester and the surrounding area,
Declares that the Petitioners oppose the abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance; notes that a substantial number of young people are in receipt of the Education Maintenance Allowance in Leicester; and further 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 Liz Kendall, Official Report, 16 March 2011; Vol. 525, c. 3P.]
[P000900]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Education:
We announced in October 2010 our intention to end the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme because it was a very expensive way of supporting young people to continue in education or training and was not well targeted on those who are facing the greatest financial barriers to participation.
On 28 March 2011 we announced a new £180 million 16-19 bursary fund. From September 2011, schools, colleges and training organisations will be able to target support towards those young people who most need support to enable them to continue their education and training post-16. We also announced proposed transitional arrangements to help the majority of young people who are presently in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance.
We are currently consulting on the proposed arrangements. Further details of the proposals and the consultation can be found at: http://www.education.gov. uk/consultations/. The consultation ends on 20 May 2011.