Wednesday 19th January 2011. Market Square, Nottingham

Nottingham students again protested against scrapping the Educational Maintenance Allowance. I understand that the government plan to do this in September this year.

Nottingham students again protested against scrapping the Educational Maintenance Allowance. I understand that the government plan to do this in September this year.

Another rally was held in the square, before a short walk around the Square and nearby streets.

After Tuesdays and Saturdays demo, today, I noticed that police were wandering about next to branches of all the usual destinations: Top Shop, Boots, Vodafone and there was a massed turnout of security at entrances to the Victoria Centre.

This was organised to coincide with a Commons vote on EMA.  Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) were introduced by Labour to encourage young people from deprived backgrounds to stay in education and training after the age of 16.  However the government won by a majority of 59 votes.

Labour loses vote to stop scrapping of EMA grants
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12228466

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The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a means-tested allowance of between £10 and £30, paid to 16- to 19-year-olds who stay on in education.

Rolled out nationally in September 2004, EMA is intended to help with the cost of books, travel, equipment or anything useful to the continuation of learning. It’s paid straight into the pupil’s bank account, not their parents or their college, giving them independence and forcing them to take charge of a small weekly budget. The payments are under the condition that they attend classes regularly. If the pupil works hard or achieves good grades, there is the opportunity to earn bonuses.

EMA is available to 16-19 year olds who come from low income families and whose household’s net income is below £30,000 pa. There is an additional grant for those students from families household income is up to and below £20,000 pa. EMA currently exists all across the UK although the administering of it is devolved to the regional parliaments of Scotland and Northern Ireland.

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On Saturday January 15, 2011 .... they did it all again

Nottingham Students another Protest Against Scrapping EMA
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/887

Earlier in the week [Tuesday 11th January] student had walked out of college and protested in the Market Square and Conservative HQ

Students Protest Against Scrapping EMA
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/875

Video: Nttm Students visit Conservative Party HQ - Demo
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/tumbles/877

Video: Nttm Students visit Conservative Party HQ - Detained
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/tumbles/878


Save EMA
http://saveema.co.uk

Nottingham Students Against Fees and Cuts!
http://nsafc.wordpress.com

Notts Save Our Services
Defending jobs, services, welfare & education against cuts in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
http://nottssos.org.uk

Smashed Windows & Graffiti @ Conservative Offices
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/677

2010 Notts Save Our Services Demo 1 The March
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/articles/694

2010 Anti Cuts, Corporate Tax & Student Fees Demo [Video]
http://notts.indymedia.org.uk/videos/832


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ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK
Email:                 tash@indymedia.org
Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu
Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]
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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
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