Meeting in the Market Square Nottingham at 3.00pm on Tuesday 11th January, School and College Student gathered to protest at the Scrapping of the Educational Maintenance Allowance. Students had earlier walked out at 2.00pm
Nottingham Students Protested against scrapping the Educational Maintenance Allowance. I understand that the government plan to do this in September this year.
A rally was held in the square, before a tour round the block to take in the usual suspects like Vodafone and Boots, with much shouting of “pay your Taxes etc”.
Later, folks headed off to the Conservative HQ Offices at:
Conservative Party Office
1 King Edward Court,
Nottingham
NG1 1EW
For those that don’t know.
They weren’t expected and the gates to the compound there were open. People banged on the door, rang the bell etc, to try and get someone to talk about the issue. There was no answer 🙂 It was noted that there was a painting of Margret Thatcher, adorning the foyer causing many remarks! Many folks at other office windows were smiling and seeming to enjoy the demo as a spectacle.
The situation was good humored until one young lad was detained [for, I think graffiti, although i saw none] . Folks then returned there to demand his release. Police were called and it is believed he was taken to Bridewell police Station, leaving via another entrance.
Demo then went back through town, visiting another Vodafone store, and having a bit of a sit-in.
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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.
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
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descent report on ITV Central
http://www.itv.com/central-east/student-protests98684
