Sixth-formers plan to sue over axing of education grant

12 April 2012

Sixth formers are threatening legal action because funding to help them study was cancelled after they started their courses.

A campaign group has consulted lawyers over the Government's decision to scrap the education maintenance allowance. The poorest students receive up to £30 a week to help them stay on at school past the age of 16.

James Mills, of Save EMA, said the Government must honour its promise to give the money to students who have already started courses.

Eligible students sign a contract pledging to turn up on time and meet academic achievement levels. But the Government withdrew the money in its spending review in October.

Mr Mills said Save EMA was now getting advice from trade union lawyers supported by Unison, and may apply for a judicial review.

He added that the group took the decision after it was discovered that a leaflet had been handed to students promoting the EMA and guaranteeing the money up to 2013.

Mr Mills said: "David Cameron went to a few colleges and said 'We won't scrap EMA'. There was a clear promise it would not be axed and students joined their courses on that basis and committed themselves for two years.

"[Education Secretary] Michael Gove said before the election that he would not scrap EMA, and that anyone who said he would was a liar."

The move comes after six councils successfully took the Government to court over its decision to withdraw money for renovating school buildings.

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