Students' fund is inadequate
The Government announcement this week of a £180 million bursary scheme to replace the scrapped Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) demonstrates that it is beginning to realise its mistake in cutting support for the most disadvantaged students ("Rethink in cash help for students", Mercury, March 29).
However, what the Government has offered is totally inadequate.
For example, 75 per cent of students at Gateway College, in Hamilton, were eligible to receive EMA. Under the new system, they estimate that only 40 per cent will be able to receive any financial assistance. With nearly two million young people in the UK not in employment, education or training it is vital that the young people of Leicester are given every opportunity to improve their social mobility.
I will continue the Leicester EMA campaign started by the petition that calls for disadvantaged young people to be given the financial means necessary to continue in further education.
Keith Vaz, MP, Leicester East.
9 Comments
by Stu, Evington Exile
Saturday, April 02 2011, 12:05PM
“North London”
by Thoreau, Leicester
Saturday, April 02 2011, 1:16AM
“Where are you renting Stu if you pay £900 a month?
You can rent a 3 bedroom house in lots of areas in Leicester for £450 - £500 a month. I know people renting privately for £400 a month for 3 bedrooms but that is harder to find.”
by Stu, Evington Exile
Friday, April 01 2011, 10:45PM
“m, le3,
Sir, I currently rent a one bedroom flat in a less than welcoming area of London and earn no more than I did in Leicester but am trying to further myself. My statement was not of self congratulation or expected etitlement but one of the frustration of many young people like myself that are trying to 'do well' with little help from either political party as we are neither high end or low end earners.
I would have hoped from my previous posts that I do not come across as that arrogant. Opinionated ? Yes! Confrontational? Sometimes!
My point was that there are those that genuinely NEED this grant to be able to get to school or college, buy their book, support other areas of their family etc. There are those whose parents appreciate the money but do not NEED it. They will support their children and are able to cover the costs. My Brother at the time was living 'in the stix' but my Mother was able to afford his stuff, pay for his transport and in his second year he was fortunate to have a car. He was paid £30 per week which was great for him as he could stick fuel in his car, have a few nights out but nothing more than he would have done anyway.
If the 'entitlement' was focused on those that really needed it then the money could be used more responsibly and it could be possible to influence/help more people that need it for less net cost to the country. 'Entitlement' and 'Need' is extremely different.
Sorry for the rant”
by m, le3
Friday, April 01 2011, 7:51PM
“@Stu, Evington Exile - now if I was one of the students you dismiss, that actually did need this money and use it for its intended purpose, I would read your post and get the impression that you feel a sense of entitlement yourself ... to live in a £900pm rent house and have enough for a deposit to buy a house NOW.
That might be a bit harsh, but if you judge others harshly ......”
by CGLee, near Melton
Friday, April 01 2011, 6:46PM
“I quite agree with the previous posts. When I was a sixth former in the 1960s, I had a saturday job, and worked all week during the school holidays. I did not expect, or receive pocket money from my parents.
Today's youngsters need to re-evaluate their attitudes and not expect handouts at every turn. They could always leave school at sixteen and get themselves jobs.”
by Rural, Leics
Friday, April 01 2011, 3:52PM
“I personally know many families receiving EMA that do not need it and boast that they use it to pay for a holiday. At least the new system targets those with greatest need. Vaz could always give up his expenses to support all those he claims will drop out, another Labour hypocrite..”
by Graham, Whetstone
Friday, April 01 2011, 12:40PM
“This topic illustrates what is wrong with politics today.
Labour's approach is seen as too generous and widely available, the ConDems' as too narrow and stingy. The truth is that this allowance needs to be pitched somewhere inbetween and correctly administered, but the incumbent politicians are so dogmatic and inflexible to co-operation that in the end the country loses out, one way or another...
The occupants of Westminster get rewarded generously for their attendance, but need their heads banging together sometimes - it's time we demanded our money's worth out of them. All of them.”
by David, Great Easton, Rural Leicestershire.
Friday, April 01 2011, 12:12PM
“I've heard it said that removal of the 'EMA' will cause hundreds of thousands to drop out of education. What balderdash, if students had any commonsense they would realise having a good education is far more important than having a £30 handout.
The achievement of the 'EMA', to my mind, has only got youngsters used to the "hand-out society" that so many have become dependent on.”
by Stu, Evington Exile
Friday, April 01 2011, 11:35AM
“Mr Vaz,
My Brother was 'entitled' to the previous EMA and received it. However, he didn't NEED it.
This is what needs to be looked at. The feeling of 'entitlement' in this country presently is what is causing many issues. I am a 28 yr old professional who is currently not 'entitled' to anything due to not being married, earning over a certain amount and fully fit. I am unable to afford a house as I cannot raise a deposit due to spending £900 per month on rent.
You and your party need to re evaluate and look at the difference between need, in which of coarse those in need should get all the support they need, and entitlement, which is decided by whichever levels/matrix/controls are decided by those in power.”