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29 March 2011

28 March The £560m EMA programme scrapped in England last year will be replaced with a new £180m bursary scheme, Education Secretary Michael Gove has announced. Mr Gove told MPs that the new bursary will be targeted strictly at the poorest students. However, Shane Chowen, Vice-President for FE at the NUS, which had campaigned to reinstate the EMA, labelled the new package as a "shadow" of its predecessor, adding that it was not yet clear if its funding would be taken from careers guidance budgets. Those who will receive automatic payments represent a tiny percentage of those eligible for EMA. The majority of this reduced support fund will be available only on a discretionary basis, which means hundreds of thousands of young people will be applying to sixth forms and colleges not knowing what support they will receive. "The cost of transport was raised a significant concern by members on all sides of the house and the Secretary of State has failed to address this. At a time when youth unemployment is so high those looking towards further education will be worried that they will be unable to make up the shortfall in funds through part-time work." Welcoming the announcement as a step in the right direction, Martin Doel, chief executive of the Association of Colleges, said it showed ministers had listened to the sector's concerns. "We appreciate the intention that our member colleges be entrusted with maximum discretion as to how this money is to be spent and that there will be freedom to use it to fund transport, food and learning materials," said Mr Doel. The new funding announced will now be subject to an eight week-consultation period.'Financial Support for 16 to 19 year olds in Education or Training' Launch Date: Monday 28 March 2011 Closing Date: Friday 20 May 2011 http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations/index.cfm?action=consultationDetails&consultationId=1754&external=no&menu=1

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