Minister on EMAs – “I deplore what’s happening in Scotland”
Glasgow North West MP John Robertson secured a debate in the House of Commons today on the Government’s future plans for the Education Maintenance Allowance scheme.
Mr Robertson looked for answers from Iain Wright MP, Minister in the Department for Children Schools and Families, after his Department last week announced their plans to fund EMA up to 2011.
Mr Robertson in the debate managed to secure a commitment from the minister “up to and beyond 2011” for EMAs.
Making the Government the only party to do so.
John Robertson MP said: “For those who believe in axing or cutting the funding for EMAs, they just have to look to Scotland, where the SNP administration has cut the EMA budget by 20 %, and NUS Scotland predict this will lead to almost 8,000 students from low income families dropping out of further education.”
He added; “When cuts to services come they will effect the poorest in our society worst of all, we should never cut a service which adds to the betterment of those in our society to gain a better education.”
The Minister, Iain Wright MP, responded; “I deplore what’s happening in Scotland”
The Minister Added: “I give my Honourable Friend a commitment on EMAs, with no ifs, and no buts, to maintain EMA up to and beyond 2011.”
Mr Robertson today has written to all opposition party leaders for their commitments on Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs), following the commitment given to him from Minister Iain Wright MP.
Mr. Robertson MP ended: “I have written to the leaders of all opposition parties and will post their responses on my website.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1.) The debate on EMAs took place, Tuesday 2nd February, at 1 pm in Westminster Hall.
2.) John Robertson MP is the Labour Member of Parliament for Glasgow North West and also PPS at the DWP to Rt Hon Yvette Cooper MP, Secretary of State for the DWP.
3.) Tables 12 and 13 can be found on page 11 of the following link:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/258051/0076538.pdf
Changes to EMAs in Scotland:
The following table shows what you might be entitled to, depending on your household income.
2009/10
Table 1 – Current Applicants (Continuing from 2008-09)
| Income Threshold | Weekly payment |
| Zero – £22,403
£22,404 – £27,465 £27,466 – £33,156 |
£30
£10 £20 |
Table 2 -New applicants (applying and qualifying for the first time in 2009-10)
| Income Theshold | Weekly Payment |
| Zero – £20,351 (for applicants from households with one child in full-time education)
Zero – £22,403 (for applicants from households with more than one child in full-time education) |
£30
£30 |
Source http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Funding-Support-Grants/FFL/EMA
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