Removal of EMA 'will put families in difficulty'

February 01 2011

The government's decision to end Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) payments has been described as "short-sighted".

Speaking to Get Reading, Lesley Donoghue, principal at Reading College, said the removal of EMA will put many families and young people in difficulty.

"We know there have to be reductions but if young people cannot afford education they will become unemployed and get into a cycle which will ultimately not benefit the economy or they may find other ways to occupy themselves which could be a risk," she commented.

The government announced plans earlier this year to scrap EMA and replace the payments with more targeted support for those most in need.

"One of my concerns is that although we know we are going to get some money into the college for those most in need, we do not know how much this is going to be yet or how it is going to be managed," Ms Donoghue added.

EMA payments currently cost the government more than £560 million a year, with administration costs of £36 million.

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