Today’s political news is brought to you by the letters E, M and A. Eeeema. While the
political establishment debates the abolition of EMA – the Educational Maintenance Allowance – inside Parliament, campaigners will be protesting against it on the streets outside. The
police, who are used to these things by now, have already set up the barricades.
Behind all the fuss and froth, the argument is really this: is EMA good value? The coalition claim that paying 16-18 year-olds up to £30 a week to stay on at school is not only expensive, but also wasteful. Labour – who introduced this allowance in the first place – claim that it opens up education for young people who otherwise couldn’t afford the associated costs, and that the economy benefits overall.
But who’s right? Here’s a round-up of some of the facts, with my brief comments and queries, so you can make your own mind up:
1) EMA costs half a £billion a year.
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