Flatlining EMAs and Reductions in College Budgets Bad News for Our Young People

At a time when there aren't many jobs in Dundee available to school leavers, gaining more qualifications can make a crucial difference to securing a job or place in further training. The Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) was designed to help more 16-19 year olds either stay on at school beyond S4 or sign up for a course at a Further Education College and gain those qualifications.

The EMA is available to eligible 16-19 year olds and is worth £30 per week.

The recent release of figures for EMAs awarded by the Scottish government shows a decline over the last four years rather than an increase in Dundee.

This adds up to a reduction in the number of students from low income households who are staying on at school or doing a College course. At a time when youth unemployment in our city is stubbornly high, this reduction in EMAs is a backward step.

The SNP in Scotland has already cut spending on further education colleges like Dundee College and they are now planning to cut another £50 million from the budget for Colleges over the next 2 years. As a result, the number of teaching staff, courses and places will be cut, and the ability of the colleges to help more students improve their skills and job opportunities will be reduced.” 

Taken together these reductions in EMAs and cuts in College budgets are bad news for our young people.

Councillor Lesley Brennan said: The economy and the community benefit from investing in students staying on at school or going to college to improve their qualifications and skills. Previous research has estimated that the net economic benefit to Scotland from the work of colleges could be at least £1.3 billion a year. For every £1 invested in colleges, an estimated £3.20 is generated in assets. I know that many young people in the East End Ward would benefit from the personal advantage that comes from staying on at school or doing a training course at College. Not only would each student gain, but it would also give a handsome payback to us all in Dundee.

Worrying Drop in Number of Students in Receipt of Education Maintenance Allowances

Yesterday the Scottish Government published details of the Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) paid in 2011/12. This report highlights that the number of teenagers from households on low incomes in receipt of an EMA had fallen by around 15% on 2009/10 levels.

EMAs are paid to young people 16-19 years old who are in full time education at school or further education college. The EMA is worth £30 a week and is means tested against total taxable household income. Payments are only made when you have 100% weekly attendance.

Our young people from the most low income households face the biggest challenge in obtaining employment, and accessing education or training. Scottish Labour introduced EMA’s to give these youngsters the financial support they need to benefit from education and to better equip them to get a job. Therefore, this significant reduction in college students receiving an EMA, particularly young women, is very worrying.

One of the likely reasons for this fall is that many applicants for places at Further Education College were not able to access the course they wanted in their local college. This was evidenced in the mounting numbers of applicants left stranded on waiting lists because courses and places have been reduced.

The Scottish Government should not be putting up barriers to the participation of students from low income households in further education. It’s time to reverse their cuts in funding for the Colleges of Further Education, including Dundee College.