Have Your Say on a possible replacement for EMA

Saynoto23

chrisbray wrote: »

You sound like one of the lucky parents that can afford the extras that teenagers cost, long may it remain that way for you.

SMUG WAS ON MY LIPS but politeness prevented its passing!

Thank you for the echo ...

Froggitt

Free bus pass. Buses are running ayway. Im sure Government can persuade the BusCos to do a bulk deal on passes.

Gets round both the "spending money on MacDonalds and Ipods" and "Wont be able to get to college" arguments.

poet123

I doubt that anyone really begrudges those in genuine need the wherewithall to remain in education and thus improve their life chances. However, the EMA does not fully achieve that in several respects.

Firstly, as tutor I know from personal experience that it is an incentive to all, not just an incentive to those who want to learn. This is a real issue as it means that many who receive it cause major headaches in the classroom, at the expense of the genuine learner. Yes, we can and do withold it, but that brings its own problems, and form filling, time that can be better utilised.

Secondly, I hear the conversations about how EMA is spent, and the excuses that money prevents attendance despite the EMA, because it hs been used on other more desirable avenues than bus fares to college.

Thirdly, many who receive it still have non resident parents who fully contibute and yet only their actual household income is taken account of.

So, my solution would be bus passes/a college "account" for essential course requirements, and a food voucher booklet for use in the college or local shops. No actual cash payments. It would support those who want to work and learn, but deter those who simply want the cash.

percymoneysaver

poet123 wrote: »

I doubt that anyone really begrudges those in genuine need the wherewithall to remain in education and thus improve their life chances. However, the EMA does not fully achieve that in several respects.

Firstly, as tutor I know from personal experience that it is an incentive to all, not just an incentive to those who want to learn. This is a real issue as it means that many who receive it cause major headaches in the classroom, at the expense of the genuine learner. Yes, we can and do withold it, but that brings its own problems, and form filling, time that can be better utilised.

Secondly, I hear the conversations about how EMA is spent, and the excuses that money prevents attendance despite the EMA, because it hs been used on other more desirable avenues than bus fares to college.

Thirdly, many who receive it still have non resident parents who fully contibute and yet only their actual household income is taken account of.

So, my solution would be bus passes/a college "account" for essential course requirements, and a food voucher booklet for use in the college or local shops. No actual cash payments. It would support those who want to work and learn, but deter those who simply want the cash.

Absolutely!!!! Well done Poet123, now if you can only get the government to listen!

sparkle0711

I think EMA should be paid to low income families ie those on benefits or tax credits earning below the threshold currently £16,190 and they could have just one rate of £30 per week. At least it would be directed towards those who need it most.

I have two teenage boys aged 19 and 17 both of whom are at college. The eldest is due to leave college in the summer but at least he's had EMA for 3 years. The youngest was planning on another year of further education but now we're having to look at other options ie an apprenticeship as without EMA it will cause financial problems.

Youth unemployment is running at 20% and no doubt abolishing EMA will have a detrimental effect on this too. Surely it is more cost effective for the government to pay £30 to keep someone in education rather than £51.85 Jobseekers Allowance. The cost of supporting young adults whilst in education increases with higher food and clothing bills. Maybe National Service is the answer!

suecoo66

Most kids just use it as extra pocket money I've never heard of any using it for education purposes.
I do think if there is an allowance it should be based on both the students and parents income.
My daughter couldn't get it from September 2006 to September 2007 as my husband earnt over 30k from April 05-06 but from May 06 his income dropped substainally due to ill health.
Her friends got the allowance and were earning about £100 a week she earnt far less and got nothing.

uzzy_3

EMA was a stupid system - the amount paid was excessive and with no follow up to assess benefit.

My kids had to suffer other children getting EMA whose entitlement was based on a divorced parent's income, when the estranged parent was still contributing for the child.

The whole system is geared up to further disadvantage married couples.

EMA should have been a voucher type entitlement for provision of school uniform, books, equipment and travel to and from school. As it is it probably single handedly is responsible for the massive increase in binge drinking in teenage kids (well with over £30 a week to spend what do you think?)

betterworld

EMA was a very unfair benefit as it was partly to pay for transport costs for students but some students live within walking/cycling distance of their educational establishment so could spend that portion of their money on what they liked.
As education will be compulsory for 16-18 year olds soon, I think that the government should give free transport to that age group if they live more than 4 miles from their educational establishment, or less if there is no footpath, especially for those whose household income is less than £20,000p.a. Incentives should also be given for those who achieve their educational targets.

betterworld

Well said. Free transport presumably will have to be provided for 16-18 year olds in 2 years time so why not start now by at least providing it for low income families.

snapper59

my older son used his for travel & books. He got the full £30.He did a p/t job to pay for driving lessons without which he wouldn't now have a job. Younger son, currently in yr12 uses his for books mainly.He can't get a p/t job as he is an athlete who competes for GB, he can't fit anthing else in unless employers would be very flexible!
He only gets £10 as it's based on last yrs family income.Husband now been unemployed for 6months & starting a business. We think perhaps vouchers for books & travel and if it's income based should take account of major changes not be fixed for the year. Also perhaps some allowance for our future sports stars to encourage them to keep training and studying at the same time