157 Group says post-16 cuts could compromise the pupil premium
18th October 2010
Monday 18 October 2010
157 Group says post-16 cuts could compromise the pupil premium
Following George Osborne's announcement at the Conservative party conference that entitlement to child benefits would be scrapped for higher-rate taxpayers, the 157 Group has warned of the potential impact on 16 to 18-year-old learners. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, the membership organisation expressed its concerns that a reduction in the eligibility threshold from 18 to 16, combined with possible cuts to the education maintenance allowance (EMA), could spell disaster for poorer families struggling to support their children through post-compulsory education.
Lynne Sedgmore CBE, executive director of the 157 Group, said, "Nick Clegg appears to recognise the need for extra resources to be focused on the poorest. We agree with his determination to introduce a pupil premium. It is disappointing, however, that in the deputy prime minister's latest speech on the subject there was no reference to further education, the sector that has the highest proportion of disadvantaged learners. Indeed, if plans to remove child benefit for those over 16 and to cut back on EMAs for 16 to 19-year-olds are pushed through, then the impact of the premium in improving school and early years provision could all be undone.
"The EMA has so far made a real difference to the participation and achievement of young people from poorer households, and we sincerely hope that it will be retained in these difficult times. If these cuts were to happen at the same time as parents lost their jobs or had to cut their hours, we could see increased drop-out rates for 16 and 17-year-olds, reversing years of progress against our skills ambitions.
"As the largest providers of the skills needed for further education or employment, members of the 157 Group know how important financial support can be in helping those from disadvantaged backgrounds to persevere and succeed. Further thought should perhaps be given to rolling up the EMA, child benefit and other forms of support into a well- targeted youth allowance that ensures no-one is prevented from getting on in education because of financial hardship."
