Financial Support (Students)
Debate between Baroness Clark of Kilwinning and Pat McFadden(14Â years ago)
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Mr Pat McFadden (Wolverhampton South East) (Lab)
My hon. Friend is right to say that the Government have based their whole case for withdrawing EMA on the research that she mentioned. The Minister will base his case on that research, saying that only a minority of students say that they would not have pursued any course at all if they had not received EMA, but that is not the sole point, is it? Surely the point is the level of sacrifice that families will have to make so that their young people can pursue education.
Does the Minister accept that if he withdraws EMA, even from those students who say that they would proceed with a course, the sacrifice that families have to make will be increased, particularly among those who need the help most—students with learning disabilities, teen parents and those from the poorest families? Does he really want to pursue that policy?
Katy Clark (in the Chair)
Order. Can I remind hon. Members that interventions should be short?