[Shasown]

Take it off them.

My two eldest kids got it when they went into higher education and didnt really need it. The local authority provides bus passes for Technical College students and those still at school till 18.

As for people supposing to save it up and buy laptops etc, when they finish thier education will they donate the laptop to the school, bet anything not many do.

16-18 is the transition period from childhood into adulthood, kids need to learn not to rely on benefits but to work for things they want/need. They also need to learn to appreciate those little luxuries in life that are handed to them on a plate. Life can be hard, lets not spoil and pamper the little bastards.

[james130]

I think everyone should get the same amount and it shouldn't exceed £10 or should be scrapped.
Some of my mates get £30 a week and every saturday buy clothes and go up to the local bar.
Education Maintenance? I think not.
£10 a week is more than enough for things like books and stationary. My parents are just over the limit so I don't get Ema but that doesn't mean I get money off them. I get £5 a week and that's it.
Plus the idea of it making people who come from poorer backgrounds drop out of college is stupid. Surely if they come from a poorer background they'd want a decent job? And isn't it wrong of the govt. to sterotype people from less privelaged backgrounds and assume that they're "less willing to learn"?

[arista]

Its Gone
for good now