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

The majority of MPs voted for a Government motion noting the replacement of the education maintenance allowance and committing the Government to working on new student support arrangements to improve access to and participation in further and higher education.

• That this House:
• believes in full participation in education and training for young people up to the age of 18 and considers that support must be in place to allow those who face the greatest barriers to participation to access this opportunity;
• notes that the previous Government left this country with one of the largest budget deficits in the world and that savings have had to be made in order to avoid burdening future generations;
• further notes that the Government has increased funding for deprivation within the 16 to 19 budget and has already begun to replace the current education maintenance allowance system with more targeted support for those who face genuine barriers, including travel; and
• commits the Government to working with young people, schools and colleges and others outside and inside Parliament on arrangements for supporting students in further education and on improving access to, enthusiasm for and participation in further and higher education."
• Michael Gove (Secretary of State, Education, House of Commons, 19th January 2011 - Speech in which the minister introduces the Government amendment to the opposition motion.

Debate in Parliament | Source |