Yesterday evening saw Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin give what was his strongest speech yet defending Educational Maintenance Allowance for 6th form students and berating the government for scrapping it. As most readers will now be aware, Nic was the head of John Leggot 6th form college in Scunthorpe, so is probably one of the best placed opposition Member�s to comment on this area. Nic began his speech by saying �I have been privileged to spend my life in education, working with the most fantastic young people in schools and colleges as well as with wonderful fellow professionals.� and then went on to complement students from all colleges in our region on their hard work and results. In a very fair and honest opening statement, Nic pointed out that while the previous Labour government had not got everything right, investment in education had always been a priority and that valuable experience was being squandered by the Tories. Nic went on to say �That is why the Secretary of State was right to begin his speech by celebrating successful school leaders who prospered under the previous Government. That does not mean the previous Government got everything right, because they could have done some things better, but, sadly, this Government, rather than learning from and building on the success of their predecessor, are doing what politicians too often do: gambling on organisational change. They are starting again with structures, but that is a distraction from the core issues of the quality and teaching and learning, and the capacity and quality of leadership in schools and colleges� Nic then went on to accuse the government of gambling with our children�s future by the recent changes which have been made to funding in all sectors of education. On the subject of Educational Maintenance Allowance (a form of �grant� which allows hundreds of 16-19 year olds in the Scunthorpe area to attend further education), Nic said: �We need look no further than the Government's approach to EMA to see how they have strayed from their mandate and gambled with our young people's futures. Over the past few years, EMAs have been a spur to widen achievement and raise aspiration.� Nic then pointed out that the government had said as recently as June that EMA would not be scrapped. Nic then explained how the principal of North Lindsey college has also written to him expressing alarm at the impact of the Government's plans to scrap EMAs. Nic revealed that it was due to this letter that he wished to raise the matter in Parliament and to argue the case for retaining EMAs. Nic concluded with some very strong words indeed stating �This is a casino Government, gambling with the economy, gambling with our nation's health service and gambling with our children's future. It is a gamble that is uncosted, unhelpful and unnecessary. I urge all hon. Members to support the motion before the House this evening.� It�s very encouraging to see our new MP taking such a proactive stance to defend issues which are of real importance especially to the lower paid families within the region.