News: April 2008 Archives
As a local school governor, I know our kids are talented and capable. But sometimes practical barriers prevent them achieving their potential. The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) supports learners from low income households to continue in learning. The scheme gives weekly payments of £ 10, £20 or £30 - depending on family income. No other household benefits are affected and young people can also still have a part-time job and claim. Those receiving EMA must sign a contract with their school or college - and payments are linked to attendance and behaviour. Across the UK half a million children received it in the last year - 3,085 in Waltham Forest alone.
A recent independent study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies shows EMAs have encouraged thousands of young people to stay on in education, who would not have done so without the financial support and incentive. There's now even better news as, from 2008/09, a learner will be eligible for EMA at the same amount for a period of up to three years. This "EMA Guarantee" will be a minimum level of support even if their household income changes and represents a security in funding which will allow them to look ahead to completing their programme of study and progressing into employment or Higher Education.
More information about how to claim EMA can be found by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/ema or calling the hotline on 0800 121 8989.
You
may have already seen how the shameful policies of the BNP seek to damage the
community relations in our capital city. This is our London, not theirs, and
we need to protect every citizen from their extremism and racism.
The London Assembly has 14 constituency members and 11 London-wide members. The London-wide members are elected depending on how much of the percentage of votes each party obtains. Any party with fewer than five per cent of the vote is eliminated. This is what happened to the BNP in 2004 when it polled 4.8 per cent of all the votes cast.
All votes for other parties will increase the total vote and therefore reduce the BNP percentage, so it is important that voters, wherever in London they are, use their vote to try and put the BNP below five per cent. On the Saturday 19 April there will be two different activities. Starting at noon there will be a stall in Walthamstow Market to publicise this campaign, followed at 2pm by a leafleting session in neighbouring streets. I hope those of you who are proud to be a Londoner and love the rich variety of this capital will come along to join in a day of action that will benefit us all.
