E.M.A - Educational Maintenance Allowance is a means tested benefit which was introduced under Labour to encourage kids from lower income families to attend college. Based on their parents income, students between the agest of 16 and 19 could apply for EMA of up to �30 a week to encourage them to continue to study after the age of 16. The scheme also provides "bonus" payments for attendance, and has been of great benefit to students in the North Lincolnshire area. The government announced a plan to scrap the EMA scheme saving the best part of �600M a year as part of their spending cuts. As a former college principal, this is clearly something our local MP Nic Dakin feels very strong about, having witnessed lots of students from low income backgrounds in the Scunthorpe area making good use of it and going on to university it comes as no surprise that he tabled an early days motion in parliament opposing this latest cut. As the details of the cuts come out, its no shock that the Tory lead coalition seem to be reducing the accessibility of education to the working classes. This comes as a double blow to a lot of low income households when the government announced a reduction in funding for universities and then authorised universities to charge up to �9,000 per year in course fees. This delivers exactly the opposite to what Nick Clegg promised in his election campaign, and impacts hardest on the poorest in society. A local group called "North Lincolnshire Coalition against the cuts" have a meeting planned for Wednesday 10th (7:30pm Highfield House, Shelford street). In an open invitation posted by organisers on VisitScunthorpe.com last week, any one who is opposed to the cuts is welcome to attend.