Spending Review

So the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review announcement last week certainly had significant implications for both further and higher education. One item announced that has sparked debate and questions from learners concerns the future of the Education Maintenance Allowance (or EMA) payments. Some learners continuing their education post-16 are entitled to a direct EMA payment of up to £30 per week depending on their household income. The funds were introduced to encourage participation in education post-school, to help with transport and resource costs.

For some, the money is essential in being able to access education provision, while for many others, the view is that EMA cash is often spent on fags, booze and mobile credit and encourages those with little intrinsic motivation for study to attend college.

What are your thoughts on the removal of EMA? Details are still patchy but the Spending Review removes Child Benefit from families with a higher rate taxpayer and replaces EMAs with locally managed discretionary funds to target support - so some may still possibly receive some additional funds. Check out the article in the TES from last week and watch the clip from this frustrated learner who posted his response on You Tube.