Opposition Day — [9th allotted day] — Education Maintenance Allowance — 19 Jan 2011 at 18:51

The majority of MPs voted against calling on the Government to re-think its decision to scrap the education maintenance allowance (EMA) in England.

The majority of MPs rejected an opposition motion which had said:

• That this House:
• believes that disadvantaged young people should gain greater access to further and higher education;
• recognises the valuable role that the education maintenance allowance (EMA) has played in supporting young people from less well-off backgrounds to participate and succeed in education; :further recognises how EMA has supported choice for students in post-16 education, allowing them to travel to the best institution for their studies, which is of particular importance in rural areas; further notes that EMA is used by the majority of recipients to fund travel to college, as well as books and equipment, and allows recipients to focus on their studies rather than taking a part-time job;
• notes that EMA has been retained in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland;
• further notes research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies stating that EMA costs are completely offset by its benefits in raising participation;
• further notes the inquiry into educational access announced by the Education Select Committee; and
• calls on the Government to rethink its decision on EMA, retaining practical support to improve access to, interest in and participation in further and higher education.

This vote was immediately followed by one in which MPs approved an alternative motion on the subject of educational support which had been put forward by the Government.

Debate in Parliament | Source |