Author Archives: UCU

Report highlights failings on college funding which are hitting poorest students

Posted on October 13, 2011 by UCU

A survey of 182 colleges by the Association of Colleges (AoC) has revealed that over half (52%) of colleges are topping up grants for students and 56% are spending more on subsidising students’ transport costs than last year. Half of … Continue reading →

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Ministers accused of cherry-picking research in order to scrap the EMA

Posted on June 9, 2011 by UCU

The government stands accused of cherry-picking research in order to scrap the EMA. Thomas Spielhofer, the former research manager at the National Foundation for Educational Research, whose report the government frequently cited to call the EMA a ‘deadweight cost’, told … Continue reading →

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Embarrassment for government over OECD EMA reinstatement call

Posted on April 8, 2011 by UCU

The Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has called on the UK government to reinstate the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). In its latest Going for Growth report, the OECD said that improving the educational achievement of young people, by … Continue reading →

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EMA ‘replacement’ not enough

Posted on March 28, 2011 by UCU

The Save the EMA campaign today said that new financial support for poorer college students doesn’t go far enough. The government announced a revised £180m ‘bursary scheme’. But this still means that £390m is being cut from supporting poorer students … Continue reading →

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Ed Balls MP backs EMA campaign

Posted on February 16, 2011 by UCU

With the announcement of the record youth unemployment figures out today, shadow chancellor Ed Balls has backed the Save EMA campaign.

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Save EMA in the news

Posted on January 20, 2011 by UCU

National press The protests on 19 January featured heavily in the national press. Below is just a selection. Guardian Daily Mail Guardian blog Telegraph Daily Mirror New Statesman Left Foot Forward Press Association AFP news agency Morning Star National broadcast media … Continue reading →

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Students take ‘Save EMA’ campaign to parliament

Posted on January 18, 2011 by UCU

Students from two London colleges will be handing out ‘Save EMA’ biscuits outside parliament from 9:15am tomorrow (Wednesday) morning*, as MPs prepare to vote on the future of the educational maintenance allowance (EMA). The students, from Brook House Sixth Form … Continue reading →

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Press coverage from Save EMA day

Posted on December 17, 2010 by UCU

A listing of some of the press coverage from our 13 December Save EMA day of action. Benefits of EMA ‘outweigh costs, Press Association Gove: Some schools face budget cuts, Press Association Travel grant for poorest pupils may be scrapped, Guardian … Continue reading →

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Uniting to Save EMA

Posted on December 13, 2010 by UCU

There is a whole raft of action taking place across the country today, here are just some of the activities organised by students’ unions, trade unions and students. NUS vice president FE, Shane Chowen, is due to appear on the … Continue reading →

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Campaign support from Andy, Ken and Polly