Rallying cry – Labour councillor Ian Gilbert with students outside South Essex College
COLLEGE students rallied in protest at the Government’s plans to cut a grant intended to help poorer people stay in education.
The teenagers gathered to have their say ahead of a House of Commons’ vote to decide the future of the education maintenance allowance, known as the EMA.
The protest, outside South Essex College, in Luker Road, Southend, was organised by Ian Gilbert, Labour councillor for Victoria and group leader on Southend Council.
He said: “There are around 2,000 young people in Southend who received the allowance, many of whom would not be able to continue their studies without it.
“The Government has completely betrayed its pre-election promise to safeguard the allowance and young people are rightly angry.”
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