Commenting on the passing of Motion 15 at the Annual Conference of the National Education Union, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“The costs of schooling should never be a barrier to any young person accessing education, yet older students in post-16 education often face the highest costs for things such as travel and can have additional responsibilities such as unpaid care work or part-time work to fund the costs of their studies.
“For young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in particular, accessing financial support from the Government is often a key means by which they are able to stay on in education past the age of 16. However, current financial support is almost non-existent and the removal of the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) has only exacerbated the difficulties many young people face.
“Education must be free at the point of use for all young people and any attempts to support those in greatest need must bring down the costs of studying. In the context of a cost-of-living crisis and rising levels of poverty and deprivation, it is vital that the Government take action to ensure that no child’s life chances or education prospects are limited.
“The reinstatement of EMA to meets today’s living costs would be a positive first step towards ensuring that all young people, particularly those from working-class backgrounds, can get the education they deserve and that no child is left behind.”
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2023-064-NEU